Smoke from wildfires prompts health caution

Local air quality officials have once again issued a warning about the harmful health effects of wildfire smoke that can potentially reach the Valley floor.

Smoke from two wildfires – the Rough fire in Fresno County and the Cabin fire in Tulare County – has prompted the caution in Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare and Kern counties.

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

Smoke from fires produces fine particulate matter, which can cause serious health problems, including lung disease, asthma attacks and increased risk of heart attack and stroke, air officials said.

Officials ask that people with heart or lung disease follow their doctor’s advice for dealing with episodes of particulate exposure.

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

This story was originally published August 13, 2015 at 12:04 PM with the headline "Smoke from wildfires prompts health caution."