River Fire creates smoky conditions on the Central Coast

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Smoke from the River Fire is creating unhealthy air quality for the Carmel Valley Tuesday. Smoke and ash is also filling the air in areas closer to where the fire continues to burn south of Salinas.

The fire is also worsening air quality for other areas, like King City, as the smoke travels south.

The giant clouds of smoke and flames taking over the hills on the first night of the fire is still on homeowners minds.

“It did look like an atomic bomb had gone off,” said Tom Nolan who lives near Berry Drive.

On Tuesday, a smoky haze is left above the hills as the fire continues to burn.

Neighbors near the base of the hill say the smoke is making it difficult for them to breathe.

“There is a lot of smoke and ash, it’s even getting inside the house if you have the windows open,” Nolan said.

The River Fire’s ashfall and smoke is making the air quality worse in salinas, but not as bad as other parts of the central coast. Air quality for Salinas was at moderate levels Tuesday afternoon, which means it's acceptable for most people, but could cause concern for a small number of sensitive people.

The smoke is traveling south causing unhealthy air quality in the Carmel Valley Tuesday afternoon and in King City, the air quality made it unhealthy for sensitive groups to be outside.

"Because of the geography and topography, the smoke is settling into the Carmel Valley and it can’t get out, it’s just building up so I imagine conditions in the Carmel Valley are unpleasant,” Air Pollution Control Officer Richard Stedman said.

Even further down the coast, Paso Robles is in a smoky haze from California wildfires.

"You can see it and you can smell it. It smells like literally there is a fire in your neighborhood,” Paso Robles resident Priscilla Young said. “It's very strong and it's very thick."

But there are some precautions you can take to stay safe. If you smell smoke or see ash fall in your neighborhood, reduce your exposure by:
-staying indoors
-avoiding strenuous outdoor activity
-closing all windows and doors that lead outside
-turn on your air conditioning to keep your house cool

Ultimately, a good thing to remember is: if you feel the smoke and ash too much, you should just get out of the area.

Despite smoky conditions in some areas, farm workers continue to tend the fields.

The Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office is offering N-95 masks to local growers and workers because of these conditions. Farmer's can contact the Monterey Ag Commissioner's Office at 831-759-7325 for more information.