On Sept. 14, smoke filledthe skies at California State University Stanislaus (Stan State). San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District issued an air alert on Sept. 11, declaring the air unhealthy for sensitive groups. The dark clouds weren’t a chance of rain, but rather a thin layer of smoke and microscopic ash particles from the northern valley fires.
There is smoke in the air due to the Butte Fire in Amador and Calaveras County, and the Valley Fire in rural lake county (approximately 100 miles north of San Francisco), and the Lumpkin Fire in Butte County. These fires have been reported to be some of the most destructive in California’s history.
Our air quality has already been moderately unhealthy due to the extended heat wave, and the addition of smoke and ash makes it that much worse for our health.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (www3.epa.gov) particle pollution occurs when liquid and solid particulate matter is mixed and floats throughout the air we breathe. If the particles are smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter, they are small enough to flow freely into our lungs, causing a wide range of health problems. The particles that are in the air of Stanislaus County are recorded to be about 2.5 micrometers in diameter, which are even smaller than dust particles.
The air pollutant that we are receiving from the Valley Fires is called Fine Particulate matter (PM2.5). According to Air Now (www.airnow.gov) this type of particle matter is most often found in smoke and haze being let off from forest fires and agricultural burning.  
   Air Now states that Exposure to PM2.5 can cause asthma attacks, bronchitis, and reduce risk for contracting a respiratory disease. Sensitive individuals may experience coughing, watery itchy eyes, and difficulty breathing. Stanislaus County is advised to limit outdoor exertion, avoid traveling long distances, and check or replace air filters in the home.