On May 7, a fire started in Chino and is expected to burn for 3-5 days.  With the fire sending smoke into some areas throughout Riverside and San Bernardino County, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) is reporting air quality index levels of Moderate.

This morning at 10:00 am the air quality index for Metropolitan Riverside County is Moderate. Air quality is acceptable; however, people who are unusually sensitive to particulate matter may experience respiratory symptoms. People with either lung disease or heart disease are at greater risk from exposure to particle pollution. The general public is not likely to be affected when the air quality index is in this range.

UCR Environmental Health and Safety advises that current air quality should be considered when scheduling campus outdoor work activities.

Who is at greatest risk from fire smoke?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the following people are at greatest risk from wildfire smoke:

People who have heart or lung diseases, like heart disease, chest pain, lung disease, or asthma, are at higher risk from wildfire smoke.

Older adults are more likely to be affected by smoke. This may be due to their increased risk of heart and lung diseases.

Children are more likely to be affected by health threats from smoke. Children’s airways are still developing and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults. Also, children often spend more time outdoors engaged in activity and play.

See the following resources for more information:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke: https://www.cdc.gov/features/wildfires/index.html

South Coast Air Quality Management District, Wildfire Smoke & Ash Health & Safety Tips: http://www.aqmd.gov/wildfire-health-info-smoke-tips

South Coast Air Quality Management District, Hourly Air Quality Index: http://www3.aqmd.gov/webappl/gisaqi2/home.aspx

South Coast Air Quality Management District, Air Quality Forecast: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ac7f3124aec64a63b39652f207b780cc

For additional information or questions please contact Environmental Health & Safety at ehs@ucr.edu or (951) 827-5528.