Air officials see no relief from smoke choking San Joaquin Valley

Despite the smoky air, the headaches and teary eyes, Modesto area residents still went about their work and play this week.

Chris Mendes teaches young people to golf in The First Tee classes at Dryden Golf Course in Modesto, and he sympathized with parents who didn't bring their children to class.

"Two parents called and said the schools were not letting the kids out for recess on Tuesday because of the air," Mendes said before Wednesday's class. "It's better today."

At different times this week, area cities have been inundated with smoke from the wildfires in areas ringing the San Joaquin Valley. The question of when the air quality may improve depends on which agency is doing the forecasting.

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District said Wednesday it expects no change in the poor air quality for several days and cautioned that the pollution could worsen in some areas, depending on migrating smoke and wind direction.

The National Weather Service said relief could come when a low pressure area forms off Southern California and drifts up the coast, causing a shift in upper level flows, which could clear some smoke from the region starting Saturday.

But there is no guarantee. The weather service predicts another wave of thunderstorms over the Sierra this weekend and the threat of more lightning-caused fires.

"It is going to be a gradual improvement and it depends on how the fire crews are doing with the wildfires," said Eric Kurth, a weather service forecaster. The thunderstorms are a concern because they may not have enough moisture to put out any fires they create, he said.

A valley air district cautionary statement will remain in effect until conditions improve. Unhealthy air is forecast for today, posing a health risk to everyone. People are advised to limit their exposure in areas where they can see or smell smoke.

Sore eyes, raw throats

Several Modesto-area residents said they felt the effects of working in the smoky conditions.

"My eyes felt like they were going to fall out of my head," said Teri Biedrzycki, a hot dog vendor at Graceada Park. "They were as red as that taillight."

She and her 71-year-old mother, Emily McKinney, planned to quit early Wednesday afternoon to save their strength to serve customers during the MoBand concert in the park this evening.

"I was huffing, and my throat was raw last night," said McKinney, who had surgery recently to relieve blockages in her carotid arteries. "I just take it easy and don't get overexerted."

Jim Bell, a street sweeper operator for the city, told of headaches and burning eyes. Being inside the cab of the street sweeper didn't afford much protection. "The air conditioner just brings it right in," he said.

Stanislaus County didn't have as much smoke and particle pollution Wednesday, although the fires served to elevate ozone levels.

In Ripon, the four-day Tisha Venturini Soccer Camp got under way at Mistlin Sports Park. With the warm weather and the lingering smell of smoke, more emphasis was placed on skills training than heavy conditioning.

"We're breaking it up and taking frequent water breaks," camp coach Cathi Conner said.

In Turlock, work continued at the Rite Aid construction site at Crowell Road and Monte Vista Avenue. The air pollution and heat made working difficult.

"It sucks," said John Curtin, a construction worker from Jamestown. "It's not that bad right here (in Turlock). I live in Jamestown, and up there you gotta chew through that stuff. In Jamestown, I couldn't see that house over there."

Smoke keeps temps down

According to air district officials, the air quality is going to be pretty bad until the Fourth of July holiday. Officials are asking residents to plan on attending a community fireworks display instead of lighting their own fireworks and spewing more pollutants.

Smoke from the fires is laden with tiny particles that can penetrate deep in the lungs. In addition, the wildfires are emitting nitrogen oxides and other compounds that are precursors for forming ozone, or smog.

The smoke has one beneficial aspect -- its ability to screen sunlight is dampening the heat, the weather service said. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 90s through Saturday.

Modesto golf instructor John Griston remarked that the dirty air is reminiscent of another region of California.

"I think I'm in LA," he said Wednesday at Dryden Golf Course. "I moved from LA to get away from this stuff."

Bee staff photographer Ted Benson and videographer Brian Ramsay contributed to this report.

Bee staff writer Ken Carlson can be reached at kcarlson@modbee.com or 578-2321.