July 28, 2006

Yreka - Siskiyou County has been hot for many days now. Extended days of extreme heat have caused heat related illness to many frail, elderly, and homebound in the State of California. Dr. David Herfindahl is following the Governor’s directive to inform residents of risk of extreme heat exposure. This notice is to help you recognize if you or somebody you see is becoming too hot and becoming ill. The following ideas may help you cool down.

• Use your air conditioner if you are too hot, or spend time in an air-conditioned location such as a store or library.
• Run portable electric fans in your room to move the air if the room temperature is under 90 degrees.
• Take a cool bath or shower and then stand in the breeze from your fan.
• Stay out of the sun.
• Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic drinks.
• Eat light, cool, easy to digest foods such as fruit or salads.
• Wear loose fitting, light colored clothes. Wear a hat with a brim to shade your face if you must be in the sun.
• Check on your friend to make sure they are OK.
• If somebody becomes confused, stops sweating or seems ill call 911.
• Don’t drink alcohol.
• Walk slowly and take rest break in the shade if you must go outside. Carry some water to drink with you.

July 28, 2006 - Yreka - Siskiyou County Public Health Officer, David J. Herfindahl, M.D. advises residents throughout Siskiyou County to be aware that air quality may be extremely poor in many areas due to severe smoke. In areas with visibility less than 2 miles, residents are advised to remain indoors and refrain from physical exertion. Residents with lung or heart disease, and the elderly are advised to leave areas where levels of particulate matter are high. The attached index will assist in assessing the air quality based on the visibility in your area.

To assess visibility:

Face away from the sun.

Determine visibility range by looking for targets that are at known distances (miles).

The visible range is the point where even high-contrast objects disappear.

After determining visibility in miles use the Wildfire Smoke Visibility Index (linked below) to assess air quality.

Wildfire Smoke Visibility Index