Heavy air, full of ash, hangs over South County as a result of
the wildfire that erupted in Henry Coe Park Monday, and experts are
saying residents would be wise to curtail unnecessary trips outside
and outdoor exercise.
Morgan Hill – Heavy air, full of ash, hangs over South County as a result of the wildfire that erupted in Henry Coe Park Monday, and experts are saying residents would be wise to curtail unnecessary trips outside and outdoor exercise.
The acrid air from the Lick Fire that has charred more than 19,000 acres can burn the nostrils and throat and spark spasms of coughing for many residents.
According to information from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, “particulate matter” from the huge blaze east of South County is having an extreme impact on the area’s air quality.
“It’s prudent to take precautions if your area is being affected by the fire,” said Jack Broadbent, the Air District’s executive officer. “If it’s smoky outside, keep your windows and doors closed. To minimize your exposure, it’s wise to stay indoors.”
Children, seniors and people who experience respiratory problems including asthma are the most susceptible to poor air quality due to particulates. The smoke in the air may irritate the throat, nose and eyes. Anyone with severe symptoms should seek professional medical advice or treatment, officials advise.
Dr. George Green, a pulmonologist and critical care specialist at Saint Louise Regional Hospital, said warnings to the public about air quality need to be stronger.
“I have seen an increase in patients coming in for inhalers, for emergency respiratory treatments,” he said. “I’m surprised it hasn’t been worse at the hospital, but I believe it will be if the situation continues. This is the worst I’ve ever seen, it reminds me of the worst smog days in Los Angeles.”
Staying inside as much as possible, with air conditioners and air filters running, is the best way to avoid problems, he said.
Green would advise school coaches to take a break from games, matches and other outside sports activity.Â
“Consider those young lungs, and consider a lighter practice, an indoor practice, maybe lifting weights instead of running the bleachers, for example,” he said.
Gilroy Unified School District nurse Eileen Obata said the district is monitoring air conditions closely and has advised physical education instructors, coaches and teachers to watch students who have asthma or other pulmonary problems to make sure there is no sign of respiratory distress.
“And we’ve told them to listen to them,” she said. “If they complain of shortness of breath or other symptoms, or are coughing excessively, they should be allowed to go back indoors.”
Obata said coaches, instructors and teachers have been told to make sure students have plenty of water, maybe consider a “walk and talk” lunch or recess instead of more strenuous aerobic activity and to send students inside immediately if they experience any symptoms.
“Other than that, we’re pretty much business as usual, our tennis is in full swing,” she said.
Morgan Hill Unified School District Deputy Superintendent Bonnie Tognazzini said the decision to allow students to take their normal physical education classes and recesses outside is a site-by-site decision.
While the district is not recommending students be kept inside, district officials would stand behind a principal’s decision to keep students at his or her site inside, Tognazzini said.
Typically, the district makes decisions based on “Spare the Air” day recommendations by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, but in this case, Tognazzini said, where the air is visibly smoky, the district is leaving the decision to the individual schools. Of course, Tognazzini added, officials have asked the principals to make sure students with asthma or other pulmonary problems that might be sensitive to these kinds of conditions be given special consideration.
Before the advisory was issued, the Hollister School District decided to err on the side of caution.
The district ordered teachers to keep children indoors Thursday morning, said Dennis Kurtz, the district’s assistant superintendent of human resources and administration.
“Right now it’s more seat of the pants and thinking like a principal, ‘This doesn’t look good,’ ” Kurtz said of the ash.
