BAKERSFIELD, CA- A wind advisory has been issued for the valley. The wild wind and dusty conditions Thursday have many people in Bakersfield concerned about the air quality and their health. Local air pollution officials are reminding people of the potential dangers of these conditions.
Thursday's strong winds have only piled on to our poor air quality in Bakersfield.
School principals had the option to keep kids indoors only under an orange code today. But for people working outside or running errands today, the air made it hard to get things done.
"The weather is bad it looks so polluted it's ridiculous," said Lora Molitoris.
Clouds of dust roll through the streets of Bakersfield today as high winds prompt a health caution.
"Oh man. I've been praying that the spores would not get into peoples' lungs really because it's so bad out here," said Molitoris.
Target employee Jonathon Park says he doesn't have any pre-existing respiratory illnesses and by wearing a mask today, he hopes to keep it that way.
"The Valley Fever stuff? Yeah it's crazy that's why I wasn't messing around with it because I'm not from here either so I have a higher chance to get it you know," Park said.
The Valley Air District says exposure to particulate pollution can aggravate lung disease, trigger asthma attacks and bronchitis, and increase the risk of respiratory infections.
"People who have respiratory conditions probably have already been feeling the effects of the poor air quality over the past few weeks and people without respiratory conditions may have been feeling those effects too," Janelle Schneider with the Valley Air District said.
Schneider says unless there's an active weather system that moves through to clear out the bad air quality and windy conditions, there isn't going to be much change.
And with no moisture in sight with the drought in full effect, only time will tell how long this weather will stick around.
The Valley Air District issued a health caution until Friday for the western and southern parts of the valley.
People with pre-existing respiratory illnesses are encouraged not to engage in physical activity outdoors.
You can check the air conditions in your area in real-time at the district's website at http://www.valleyair.org.
Thursday's strong winds have only piled on to our poor air quality in Bakersfield.
School principals had the option to keep kids indoors only under an orange code today. But for people working outside or running errands today, the air made it hard to get things done.
"The weather is bad it looks so polluted it's ridiculous," said Lora Molitoris.
Clouds of dust roll through the streets of Bakersfield today as high winds prompt a health caution.
"Oh man. I've been praying that the spores would not get into peoples' lungs really because it's so bad out here," said Molitoris.
Target employee Jonathon Park says he doesn't have any pre-existing respiratory illnesses and by wearing a mask today, he hopes to keep it that way.
"The Valley Fever stuff? Yeah it's crazy that's why I wasn't messing around with it because I'm not from here either so I have a higher chance to get it you know," Park said.
The Valley Air District says exposure to particulate pollution can aggravate lung disease, trigger asthma attacks and bronchitis, and increase the risk of respiratory infections.
"People who have respiratory conditions probably have already been feeling the effects of the poor air quality over the past few weeks and people without respiratory conditions may have been feeling those effects too," Janelle Schneider with the Valley Air District said.
Schneider says unless there's an active weather system that moves through to clear out the bad air quality and windy conditions, there isn't going to be much change.
And with no moisture in sight with the drought in full effect, only time will tell how long this weather will stick around.
The Valley Air District issued a health caution until Friday for the western and southern parts of the valley.
People with pre-existing respiratory illnesses are encouraged not to engage in physical activity outdoors.
You can check the air conditions in your area in real-time at the district's website at http://www.valleyair.org.