Health officials are urging caution with deteriorating air quality conditions. Monitors in the Redding area mostly show conditions that are considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, but to the south, and in eastern Shasta County, there are many areas where the air is at hazardous levels, especially for those with respiratory or heart conditions, the elderly, pregnant women and young children. It’s recommended that people limit their time outside and wear a HEPA mask if available. Officials caution that bandannas and most paper masks do nothing to filter the fine particulates contained in smoke. Real-time air quality monitors can be checked on the EPA website airnow.gov
– Steve Gibson