Breeze lightens blanket of haze

Clean ocean wind breezed through the San Joaquin Valley on Saturday, pushing wildfire smoke north and improving the air quality rating.

Lightning storms ignited more than 1,000 wildfires from the Central Coast to the Oregon state line last week. Dark smoke filled the San Joaquin Valley, choking out the sun and prompting the cancellation of outdoor events from Bakersfield to Stockton.

For instance, smoky air canceled this weekend's 100- mile Western States Endurance Run for the first time in its 31-year history. The race goes from Squaw Valley at Lake Tahoe to Auburn.

Friday marked one of the worst reported air quality days in Stanislaus County. But Saturday, the dirty sky seemed to lighten and meteorologists downgraded the warning level from very unhealthy to unhealthy for sensitive groups. Forecasters predict moderate air quality today.

About midnight Friday, a low pressure system off the Central Coast pushed clean air into the valley and moved the smoke into the northwest corner of the state and southern Oregon.

"It's like a spinning top," said Gary Arcemont, senior air quality specialist with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

The district measures and issues warnings based on the concentration of particulate matter -- microscopic particles including dust and soot -- and ozone in the air. Particulate matter generated by smoke is very fine and can lodge deep in the lungs, causing discomfort, coughing and a laundry list of illnesses.

Patient traffic at Golden Valley Health Centers, which have 26 locations in Merced and Stanislaus counties, usually slows the last week of June, said Dr. Silvia Diego, Golden Valley's chief medical officer. But because of the polluted air, she said, the slowdown hasn't happened and respiratory cases have spiked.

"All types of lung diseases, asthma and allergies have been exacerbated," Diego said.

Despite diminished air quality, a small army of 7- to-14 year olds -- 33 baseball teams -- took to George Costa field in Ceres on Saturday for the second day of the weeklong 38th annual George Costa All-Star tournament.

"I had some parents and coaches call with concerns," said Bill Campbell, tournament director. "All-star tournaments you play in conditions you normally wouldn't during regular season. It's such a long-planned event. I have teams coming from all over California."

The Ceres Gray All-Star team, a group of 9- and 10-year-olds, fielded line drives and grounders before taking the plate against Hilmar-Stevinson. Head coach Mike McGrath hollered to his squad: "Heads up. Look at me. Look at me. Eyes up. Anyone having any problems breathing, itchy eyes, sore throats?"

The group stood still, eyes up. Some tugged on their ball caps.

"No one's complained today," the coach said.

Earlier this week, during practice, there were some irritated eyes and sore throats, McGrath said.

Mom Kristi Lopez watched the Ceres Gray squad warm up from her folding chair. She said she wasn't worried about the boys working out in the dirty air.

"It's much better today than it was the day before," she said, then smiled. "Plus, it's baseball. Nothing comes before baseball."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Bee staff writer Michael R. Shea can be reached at mshea@modbee.com or 578-2391.