The Garlic Festival wasn’t the only thing stinking up Gilroy last week. Smoke carried over from the Soberanes fire near Big Sur filled the streets of Gilroy. The smoke was so thick at times that it obstructed the view of the hills southwest of town.
Smoke has the potential to irritate the eyes and airways. It can cause coughing, scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, and more.
“People experiencing these kinds of symptoms should seek shelter, close their windows, and stay indoors,” said Tom Flannigan, public information officer for Bay Area Air Quality Management District. “Turn on any air conditioning units to recirculate, so they’re not exposing themselves to outdoor elements.”
BAAQMD is in charge of monitoring air quality in the nine counties that make up the Bay Area: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma.
Residents are advised to use their best judgment. Flannigan said it’s important to remember there may be higher concentrations of pollution in different areas.
People with preexisting respiratory conditions should contact their doctor if symptoms worsen. In some cases, it’s reasonable to leave the area if the smoke becomes too threatening to overall health.
“Elderly people, children, anyone with heart or respiratory conditions, they’re even more susceptible to elevated air pollution levels,” Flannigan said. “They should take extra caution to avoid this exposure.”
While the smoke might affect your health, your car should be just fine.
“I was actually down in Carmel on Sunday and there was ash on my car,” said Mike Bonfante, of Bonfante Collision Center. “It was just like anything else, it just blew off. I don’t think it harmed my vehicle at all.”
While smoke can potentially cause fallout, a roughness on the surface of a vehicle, Bonfante said that it happens already as a result of pollution and what circulates in the atmosphere.
According to Gilroy Fire Department Chief Alan Anderson, GFD has provided resources to the Soberanes fire as part of the California Master Mutual Aid Agreement.
“Last Tuesday [July 26] at 0400 hours we sent a strike team to the fire which consisted of fire engines from Gilroy, Palo Alto, Foster City, Belmont, and Central County,” Anderson said. “The crew is working 24-hour shifts in very steep terrain.”
The strike team is led by Gilroy Division Chief Chris Weber, who’s assisted by Gilroy Captain Shaun Peyghambary.
The Soberanes fire has burned more than 46,000 acres, and is about 25 percent contained. On Aug. 2, the Cal Fire said the massive blaze was caused by an illegal, abandoned campfire.
