Plumas Fire and Football

What a smoky day yesterday. The fire season has interrupted football season. When we got to practice yesterday, we were notified that there would be no practice due to the poor air quality. I was very pleased with this decision. The high school teams still practiced, however.
Here is the story about the fire in Plumas County that caused all the smoke in our area from news10.net


Smoke From Plumas Fire Chokes Valley
Written by C. Johnson, Internet News Producer
Written by Deborah Hoffman, Reporter

Deborah Hoffman's Report

The Moonlight Fire burning near Plumas National Forest has grown to nearly 18,000 acres and is just five percent contained.The U.S. Forest Service said about 30 residences have been evacuated in the Upper Lights Creek and North Arm Indian Valley areas. Smoke from the fire is also have an impact, threatening high risk groups in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys.The fire has prompted the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to issue a health cautionary statement. Gary Arcemont, a meteorologist with the district said high particulate matter in the air can aggravate respiratory conditions and cause asthma attacks. "If you smell smoke you are probably breathing it," he said."It's definitely dangerous for high risk groups: elderly, people with asthma, young children," said Dr. Mark Grijnsztein, an allergist with Sutter Medical Group in Elk Grove.Lori McManus, one of Dr. Grijnsztein patients, said due to poor air quality Wednesday, she would be taking some precautions. "I would stay indoors a little bit more, run my air conditioner, maybe when I drive home put my air conditioner in my car on instead of opening my windows," said McManus. She also said she would be keeping her inhaler and her medication close at hand.The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District is also warning that smoke from the fire is causing the air in the Sacramento region to be unhealthy for sensitive groups."It's important for people to take steps to protect their health and limit outdoor activity," said the district's Lori Kobza. "We could see similar conditions tomorrow."The air conditions have also prompted a health advisory from the Placer County Health and Human Services Department and Placer County Air Pollution Control District.“In a nutshell, if you can see or smell smoke, you should limit outdoor physical activities, and strongly consider canceling outdoor sporting events and other group physical activities," said Placer County Health Officer Dr. Richard Burton said. There are 1,000 firefighters assigned to the Moonlight Fire. The blaze is burning along the ridge line bordering the Plumas and Lassen National Forests. The Forest Service says flames are moving in a northeasterly direction along steep slopes.Highway 36 and all major roads are open.Investigators are still trying to determine how the fire started. They do know it began on private property Monday afternoon.
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News10/KXTV
. All Rights Reserved.
Created: 9/4/2007 7:21:21 PM
Updated: 9/5/2007 9:37:58 PM