Two wildfires prompt health warnings throughout the Valley

The Willow fire in Madera County and Cabin fire in Tulare County have prompted local air officials to caution residents about smoke throughout the air basin: Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Madera, Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties and the Valley portion of Kern County.

This is the second warning the San Joaquin Valley Air District has issued this week.

The effects of the smoke are concentrated in the mountainous and foothill areas of the air basin, but an impact on the Valley floor is possible until the fires are extinguished, officials said.

Smoke from wildfires contains fine particulate matter, which can cause serious health problems including lung disease, asthma attacks, and increased risk of heart attacks and stroke.

People with heart or lung disease are advised to follow their doctors’ instructions for dealing with particulate exposure. Additionally, older adults and children should avoid prolonged exposure or heavy exertion, depending on conditions.

People with respiratory conditions, young children and elderly people are especially susceptible to health effects from these pollutants, air officials warned.

Residents can check the district’s wildfire page at www.valleyair.org/wildfires for information about any current fires and their impact on the Valley.

This story was originally published July 31, 2015 at 9:24 AM with the headline "Two wildfires prompt health warnings throughout the Valley."