Willow Fire taking toll on the Valley's air quality

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Willow Fire is taking a toll on the Valley's air quality. As the fire continues to burn, health officials say people will be feeling it.

In the foothills of Fresno County, the view is a little hazy. Smoke is drifting across the Valley, away from the Willow Fire.

Jaime Holt with the Valley Air District said, "You'll see that smoke, probably at its worst in the overnight, early morning hours."

She says the air quality is starting to take a hit and it'll get worse as the fire burns in Madera County.

Linda Kyle lives in Harlan Ranch, which is near the hazy foothills. In the neighborhood though, the sky looks pretty clear. "It's been just like this, really nice," Kyle said.

Even though she can't see it, Dr. A.M. Aminian with the Allergy Institute says people can feel it.

"This fire, along with the air quality and the heat, we've been seeing more people coming in," Dr. Aminian said.

Dr. Aminian says there is soot and ash in the air. It sticks to our clothes and our hair. We are breathing it in and the best way to protect our lungs is a shower at the end of the day, "If you go right to bed and sleep, then you get all this and you inhale them through the night."

He says people who have trouble breathing or serious health problems should stay inside, if possible. Especially between noon and 6pm -- the hottest part of the day and the worst time to be outside.