Stagnant air is not unusual for this time of year. But the unprecedented heat expected this Labor Day weekend, combined with the recent large wildfires, has prompted a joint air quality health advisory for Nevada County. It’s been issued by the Public Health Officer and the Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District. District Air Pollution Control Specialist, Sam Longmire, says the advisory is expected to stay in effect at least through Labor Day…

click to listen to Sam Longmire

And Longmire says conditions could actually be a lot worse without the presence of a tropical storm off the Mexican coast…

click to listen to Sam Longmire

Health officials say concentrations of ozone and smoke can cause eye and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, congestion, coughing, impaired lung function, and chest pain. People feeling the impacts the most, as always, are the elderly, children, people with asthma and heart or lung conditions and pregnant women. Outdoor exercise is discouraged, with the possible exception of the early morning hours.