Air quality alert prompts sports cancellations and health warnings as smoke lingers over Central CA

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- An air quality alert remains in effect across Central California as smoke from dozens of lightning-sparked wildfires continues to blanket the region.

Experts say the smoke is "sloshing" in the atmosphere above the Valley, moving back and forth rather than clearing out. One major contributor is a massive pyrocumulus cloud generated by the Garnet Fire in Fresno County.

RELATED: Tracking every wildfire burning throughout Central California

Hazy skies stretch across the foothills into Madera County, while downtown Merced is also shrouded in smoke from fires burning in Mariposa and Tuolumne counties.

"First, you smell it. You smell it before you see it, but then it starts to drift down into the Valley, and the Valley is a big bowl," said Merced resident Doug Fluetsch.

MAP: See where California wildfires are burning right now

Air quality monitors track ozone and fine particulate matter, but experts warn that sensors don't tell the whole story.

"If you can smell it, regardless of what our monitor says, it is impacting you," said Heather Heinks with the Valley Air District.

Schools Adjust Sports Schedules

The poor air quality is forcing schools to rethink outdoor activities.

Sierra High School canceled all sports practices Thursday and postponed Friday's football games.

A junior high volleyball match was moved indoors to a gym with filtered air.

Fresno Unified, the Valley's largest school district, says it's ready to cancel outdoor sports if the air quality index (AQI) hits 150.

"I started checking it this morning right when I woke up to see the forecast," said Tim Carey, Fresno Unified's sports director. "We're preparing today to make sure we're communicating as often as we can."

Health Officials Urge Precautions

Doctors advise people with respiratory conditions to limit outdoor activity, and even healthy individuals should take precautions.

"Pretty much for most everybody, if you're exercising or working out, right now is probably not the right time to do it," said Dr. Rodrigo Dezubiria with Castle Family Health Centers in Atwater.

If you must be outside, experts recommend wearing an N95 mask. Cloth masks won't protect you from wildfire smoke because particles can still pass through. Make sure the mask fits snugly to your face.

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