"Unusually high pollution levels" are creating health hazards for San Joaquin Valley residents, increasing risk of respiratory problems, lung disease, heart attacks, and strokes, according to the Valley Air District.
Residential wood-burning for Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and the Central Valley portion of Kern counties has been issued for Friday until midnight. All residential wood burning is prohibited.
The district says that despite historically low emissions, higher moisture levels from recent rain and subsequent warm weather has tripled the level of fine particulates in the valley this week. Due to these conditions, officials are also requesting a change in commuter habits.
"We are asking the public to refrain from burning and to also reduce driving," said Air District Executive Director Seyed Sadredin.
The district says air quality forecasters expect the current pollution conditions to linger into the forseeable future.
Residential wood-burning for Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and the Central Valley portion of Kern counties has been issued for Friday until midnight. All residential wood burning is prohibited.
The district says that despite historically low emissions, higher moisture levels from recent rain and subsequent warm weather has tripled the level of fine particulates in the valley this week. Due to these conditions, officials are also requesting a change in commuter habits.
"We are asking the public to refrain from burning and to also reduce driving," said Air District Executive Director Seyed Sadredin.
The district says air quality forecasters expect the current pollution conditions to linger into the forseeable future.