Thomas Fire smoke hurting air quality in SLO County — and it will only get worse
Smoke from wildfires in Ventura and Los Angeles counties can be seen along the San Luis Obispo County coastline, and air quality officials say it will creep inland over the next 24 hours.
On Thursday, the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District and county Health Agency announced that as of 9:30 a.m., smoke impacts were greatest along the coast from Oceano Dunes and Nipomo to Morro Bay.
Updated smoke model graphic. #CAwx #ThomasFire #CreekFire #RyeFire pic.twitter.com/jO3VusmMZh
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) December 7, 2017
But the agencies said the plumes were expected to move inland throughout the day and residents throughout the county can expect skies to be hazy and harmful particulate matter concentrations to be higher than normal. Changing winds make it difficult to predict which areas of the county will be most affected, according to a news release.
On Thursday morning, PG&E meteorologist John Lindsey said San Luis Obispo County will see smoke both in the low to mid-levels of the atmosphere drift near the surface over the next 24 hours.
Lindsey said he could see smoke from the coast in Avila Beach at roughly 8:30 a.m. and had received reports from residents as far away as Atascadero reporting the smell of smoke.
San Luis Obispo County health officials recommended in a news release Thursday that residents take precautions to reduce harmful health effects of smoke exposure, such as avoiding strenuous outdoor activity and remaining indoors as much as possible.
The Central Coast will see smoke both in the low to mid-levels of the atmosphere but more importantly near the surface today into tomorrow. Forecast for 2 p.m. PST #CaWx #ThomasFire @CALFIRE #CaliforniaWildfires @CALFIRE_SLO . #CAwx #CreekFire #RyeFire #SkirballFire pic.twitter.com/gNgDgFTTAT
— John Lindsey (@PGE_John) December 7, 2017
Clear and dry conditions mean smoke from the Thomas Fire in Ventura County may be visible from areas throughout San Luis Obispo County today. No active wildland fires within SLO County as of now. Be prepared and have a plan. #ThomasFire @VCFD
— CAL FIRE SLO (@CALFIRE_SLO) December 7, 2017
If a cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, exhaustion, light-headedness or chest pain occurs, outdoor activity should be stopped immediately, and the affected person should seek medical attention.
The Air Pollution Control District and county Public Health say they will continue to monitor smoke impacts on air quality. More information and an air quality index can be found at the agency’s website at slocleanair.org/air-quality/wildfire.
Residents can also subscribe to receive air quality forecasts at enviroflash.info, and check the agency’s Twitter feed (@slocleanair).
This story was originally published December 7, 2017 at 12:26 PM with the headline "Thomas Fire smoke hurting air quality in SLO County — and it will only get worse."