Tassajara Fire still poses a threat to air quality

Those who should be concerned about poor air quality are people who live close to the Tassajara Fire. The size of the toxic particles found in wildfire smoke are so small and fine that they’re able to cause health problems.

“They could be drawn deep into our lungs, bypassing our natural filters. And when it gets deep into the lungs it can actually transfer into the blood stream.” says David Frisbey of the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District.

The direction of winds play a big role in clearing out the toxic air. Experts at the Air Pollution Control District have many tools to help determine where wildfire smoke and toxins will travel.

“It’s our best estimate, based on multiple indicators of what the situation is and how it’ll likely change as time unfolds.” says Robert Nunes, an Air Quality Planner at the Air Pollution Control District.

A fresh ocean sea breeze helps to improve air quality, but when it comes to leftover ash and debris, results are mixed.

The ashes aren’t as harmful as some of the fine particles found in wildfire smoke, however when the wind mixes this ash and debris into the air, it doesn’t travel very far. That means this ash will settle on houses, cars, and everything else outside. Ultimately, reducing the quality of the air we breathe.

Looking ahead, the quality of the air should return to normal by the end of this weekend.