FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Dense Valley fog continues to roll in, prompting two school closures Thursday morning.
The layer developing overnight and stretching into the early morning hours which is a weather pattern that can also affect Valley air quality.
“Coming down Turlock and Merced towards Fresno and going down to Tulare, you see an increasing in poor air quality,” said Dr. Praveen Buddiga, a Valley allergist and immunologist who has served hundreds of patients in Central California.
“The same pattern that promotes fog in the morning hours is also a pollution trap, so no surprise the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive individuals right now, and the forecast remains just that,” said ABC30 Meteorologist Kevin Musso.
“The air quality index increases as we go south towards Bakersfield,” said Dr. Buddiga.
As the number climbs on the Air Quality Index, so does the threat of breathing in poor air for everyone.
“Such as those with lung problems such as asthma, COPD, chronic bronchial infection, bronchitis,” said Dr. Buddiga.
Those most at risk are young children with developing lungs who are more susceptible to the particulate matter found in the Valley air.
“Teeny, tiny particles — in many cases, you can breathe them in, inhale them; it gets into your bloodstream. It has a very bad effect on your health,” said Heinks.
Dust and diesel particles linger in the Valley air grab onto Valley fog which acts as a sponge. That can result in dangerous air quality.
Fog only adding to that danger, trapping man-made pollutants at ground-level.
As fog lingers and Valley temperatures drop more and more homeowners fire up their fireplace for warmth.
“You can smell a much stronger sense of smoke in the air — that’s simply because if there are any houses in the area burning, it’s hanging out in that fog right with us,” said Heinks.
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