California wildfires creating air pollution crisis

Despite the efforts of more than 8,000 firefighters battling against 22 major fires statewide, California's most recent natural disaster shows no signs of abating.

Since Sunday night, more than 170,000 acres have gone up in flames, at least 3,500 structures destroyed, and some 20,000 people evacuated.

As of Wednesday evening, only 10 percent or less of the major fires had been contained.

With so much burning, the air quality index of regions near the fires has jumped to levels never before recorded.

In Napa and Sonoma counties, where flames have scorched tens of thousands of acres, levels for particulate matter have routinely surpassed 200.

At this level, not only are the infirm and young at risk, but anyone outside breathing the air could suffer serious health effects.

Read more...https://www.mnn.com/health/healthy-spaces/blogs/california-wildfires-creating-unprecedented-air-pollution-crisis