Press Releases

8-6-18: Health Advisory - Smoke Impacting Northern SLO County

The San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Air Pollution Control District Public Health Department and Office of Emergency Services are working in partnership to assess the air quality in order to identify any potential health impacts and to inform the community about safeguarding individual health. At this time, San Luis Obispo County is being impacted by smoke from wildfires across California and by a developing fire in Monterey County named the Turkey Fire.

Expect skies to be hazy and fine particulate (PM_2.5) concentrations to be higher than normal. Air quality is ranging from Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Changing winds make it difficult to predict which areas of the county may be most affected. However, until the fires are put out, smoke will likely be intermittently present in our region.

If you smell smoke or see ash fall:

Air District officials recommend that if you smell smoke or see ash, take precautions and use common sense to reduce your exposure to smoke. All adults and children should:

Avoid strenuous outdoor activity
Remain indoors as much as possible
Close all windows and doors that lead outside to prevent bringing additional smoke inside
Set any heating/air conditioning/ventilation systems to recirculate

These precautions are especially important for sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and people with existing respiratory illness and heart conditions, as they are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of poor air quality. Families with small children should be aware that even if adults in the household have no symptoms, children may experience symptoms due to their smaller body mass and developing lungs. If smoke increases, healthy people could be affected as well. If you experience a cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, exhaustion, light-headedness or chest pain, stop any outdoor activity immediately and seek medical attention. More information can be found at slocleanair.org/air-quality/wildfire.

For updates:

APCD and County officials will continue to closely monitor smoke impacts and air quality in San Luis Obispo County. By following the air quality index (AQI), the public can also monitor real-time air quality throughout SLO County. The AQI focuses on health effects individuals may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. The current and forecasted AQI is available via the APCD website: slocleanair.org and you can also follow the SLO County APCD and Public Health Department Twitter feeds for the latest updates (@slocleanair and @SLOPublicHealth). You can also sign up for AirAware alerts right on your phone by visiting our website at SLOCleanAir.org.

8-6-18: Better Breather Alert - Smoke and Blowing Dust Impacting San Luis Obispo County

The San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Air Pollution Control District and County Health Department are advising the public that air quality in San Luis Obispo County is being impacted by smoke from wildfires (countywide) as well as blowing dust in the area of the Oceano Dunes/Nipomo Mesa area. As of 2 p.m. Monday, August 6, smoke impacts are the greatest in Eastern and Central San Luis Obispo County (including Paso Robles and Atascadero) and air quality is Moderate along the coast (including San Luis Obispo), coastal air quality could continue to deteriorate as the smoke plume spreads. Expect skies to be hazy and fine particulate (PM2.5) and ozone concentrations to be higher than normal. Changing winds make it difficult to predict which areas of the county may be most affected as the week progresses. However, until the fires are put out, smoke will likely be intermittently present in our region.

County officials recommend you take precautions and use common sense to reduce the harmful health effects associated with particulate matter exposure. When it is obvious that smoke or dust is in the air, individuals should avoid strenuous outdoor activity and remain indoors as much as possible. These precautions are especially important for people with existing respiratory illness and heart conditions, as they are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of declining air quality. If smoke impacts increase, healthy people could be affected as well. If a cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, exhaustion, light-headedness or chest pain occurs, outdoor activity should be stopped immediately, and the affected person should seek medical attention. More information can be found at slocleanair.org/air-quality/wildfire.

APCD and County officials will continue to closely monitor smoke impacts and air quality in San Luis Obispo County. By following the air quality index (AQI), the public can also monitor real-time air quality throughout SLO County. The AQI focuses on health effects individuals may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. The current and forecasted AQI is available via the APCD website: slocleanair.org. Sign up to receive the daily AQI air quality forecast via email by subscribing online at enviroflash.info, sign up for our AirAware text notifications and check our Twitter feed for the latest updates (@slocleanair).

8-6-18: Notice of Vacancies - Hearing Board of the Air Pollution Control District of San Luis Obispo County

The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) Hearing Board has three vacant positions open: An Attorney Member and two Public Member Alternates. In addition, the current Attorney Member Alternate term will expire in January 2019. State law requires appointment of Hearing Board members be made by the APCD Board of Directors.

The APCD Hearing Board is a quasi-judicial body whose purpose is to hear requests from regulated industry for variance from rules, hear requests for emergency variances at the time of a prolonged upset or breakdown, and other areas of jurisdiction set by the State Health and Safety Code. Membership requirements for the Hearing Board are stipulated in state law and specify Members and Alternates consist of an attorney admitted to the practice of law in California, a registered professional engineer, a member of the medical profession, and two public members.

Applications for the positions are being accepted August 6, 2018 to August 31, 2018. Applications will be available online at slocleanair.org/who/board/hearing-board.php or by contacting Alyssa Roslan.

Applications are to be submitted in writing to:

SLO County Air Pollution Control District
Attn: Clerk of the Board
3433 Roberto Court
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Consideration of this matter by the APCD Board of Directors is planned for the September 26, 2018 meeting. Additional information regarding the vacancies and applicants will be provided in the agenda packet for this item.