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Wildfires Prompt Air Quality Alert for the Valley
What started as a small forest fire in the Sierra National Forest last month ballooned to more than 50,000 acres burned. The ongoing Garnet Fire, along with several new wildfires sparked by lighting, has placed foothill and mountain communities in Fresno and Madera Counties under smoky conditions over the last few weeks.
As a result, the District issued an Air Quality Alert with the National Weather Service earlier this month when air quality reached unhealthy levels. With the wildfire still burning, residents should be aware that smoke may still affect local air quality. If they can see, smell or taste smoke, they are being impacted by it. Residents impacted by the smoke are advised to stay indoors to minimize exposure to particulate matter (PM) emissions, which can negatively affect their health. The potential for increased ozone and PM2.5 exists until the fires are extinguished.
Wildfire smoke contains particulate matter (PM) and ozone precursor emissions, which can trigger asthma attacks, aggravate chronic bronchitis, and increase the risk of a heart attack and stroke. Those with existing respiratory conditions are especially susceptible to the adverse health effects of this form of pollution. Anyone experiencing poor air quality due to wildfire smoke should move indoors to a filtered, air-conditioned environment with windows closed and contact their primary care provider for more information.
Valley residents can check the District’s Wildfire Prevention & Response page at valleyair.org/wildfires for information about any wildfires affecting the Valley and wildfire resources.
In addition, residents can follow air quality conditions by downloading the free “Valley Air” app or by visiting the EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map or AirNow.gov website.
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Clean Air Centers can Provide Residents a Temporary Shelter from Wildfire Smoke
When wildfire smoke impacts a community, Valley residents can find some reprieve at Clean Air Centers, which are funded and supported by the District and the California Air Resources Board.
Clean Air Centers are facilities equipped with a high-efficiency air filtration system. The centers are located throughout the San Joaquin Valley and are open to the public. The facilities can be community centers, libraries and senior centers. Residents are encouraged to call ahead to confirm facility hours before arriving.
In addition, residents can take steps to prepare their homes, such as installing a high-efficiency filter with a MERV 13 rating or higher, or setting up a designated room with a room air purifier to ensure everyone in the home has access to clean, filtered air.
To find Clean Air Center locations in the Valley, click on this map. For more details about the program, visit the Clean Air Centers webpage.
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Start the School Year with a Healthy Campus by Reducing Vehicle Idling
For many Valley parents, the first days of school can be chaotic as they drop off their children, maybe to multiple campuses.
The increase in vehicle traffic as parents drop off and pick up their children can contribute to a temporary uptick in ground-level ozone in the Valley. Schools and parents can help reduce air pollution and help lessen the exposure students have to vehicle emissions by limiting idling vehicles on school campuses (as temperatures allow).
To minimize pollution associated with school-site vehicle idling, the District has partnered with hundreds of Valley schools through its Healthy Air Living Schools program, providing English and Spanish “no-idling” signs and other resources, to remind parents to turn off their car engines while waiting to pick up or drop off students.
To learn more about Healthy Air Living Schools or participate in the program, visit valleyair.org/HAL/Schools. Schools can request new or replacement No-Idling signs by emailing public.education@valleyair.org and indicating how many are signs are needed and in which language, English or Spanish.
Check out our recent news release that outlines the possibility of deteriorating air quality due to high temperatures and back-to-school traffic.
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The District is looking for artwork with clean air themes from students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade for its annual Healthy Air Living Kids’ Calendar Contest. Artwork chosen for the calendar can win a scholarship award of up to $500. The deadline for 2026 calendar entries is Sept. 26, 2025. For contest rules, entry forms and more information, visit the calendar contest website. |
Share your thoughts on the Valley’s air quality!
Give us your feedback on air quality improvements in the Valley and you might win a gift card! Complete the “Our Valley” survey by Sept. 26, 2025, and your name will be added into the raffle. To complete the short survey, click here or the survey flyer. |
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South Central Fresno Residents Take Home New Electric Mowers at Recent Trade-in Event
On Saturday, August 23, the District, in partnership with Valley Clean Air Now (Valley CAN), hosted a combined Lawnmower Trade-in and Tune-In Tune-Up event at the Fresno Fairgrounds. At the event, 314 residents who live in the Fresno AB 617 boundary exchanged their old, polluting gas-powered lawnmowers for new, free zero-emission, electric ones.
As part of the event, 81 residents received assistance to sign up for a free residential air purifier through the Fresno AB 617 Clean Air Rooms program.
Additionally, 368 Valley residents took part in the Tune-In Tune-Up smog repair event, where they received a free emissions test and, if needed, a repair voucher worth up to $850 for emissions-related repairs.
The next Fresno lawnmower trade-in event is anticipated to take place in 2026. In the meantime, residents can still trade-in their old gas-powered lawnmowers by participating in the Clean Green Yard Machines: Residential program. For more details, see program guidelines.
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Visit the News Room for additional Valley Air District news releases. |
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