Fresno, Madera Counties under no burn status due to poor air quality

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Residents in Fresno, Madera and Kings counties experienced unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups on Sunday.

"Because of the conditions at the moment, it's really the weak high-pressure system that were under throughout today, which kind of offers poor conditions, which tends to trap some of the conditions were seeing out there," said Daniel Gonzalez with San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

Experts say to experience better air quality, we need rain and wind to brush through the Central Valley.

"That wind will really kind of pick up the air quality particles that we have and kind of sweep them out of the area. The rain will also fall and what happens is the rain and air particles, as the rain falls, the rain takes it with it," said Antoinette Serrato with the National Weather Service in Hanford.

She said the storm expected this week will come with possible thunder on Monday afternoon and evening. Parts of the San Joaquin Valley can see upwards of an inch of rain.

She adds it's the first significant storm of the winter season for Central California.

Meanwhile, Fresno and Madera County are under a no-burn status for Sunday and Monday.

"We encourage all residents to not turn on their fireplaces if at all possible. Oftentimes it contributes to PM-2.5, impacting public health. Which again it seems to trigger asthma, emphysema and other air-breathing conditions," said Gonzalez.

He adds you'll want to check when and if you're able to burn a wood fire at your home.

"There are consequences. Not only are there health impacts, but we might be impacting others, the air quality as well. But if someone were to report you or you would be discovered if you are burning on a non burn day, there a potential of receiving a fine," said Gonzalez.

The fine amount can vary based on how offenses.

For more information on when you're allowed to burn a fire at your home, click here. And for the air quality conditions, click here.

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