San Andreas, CA…Public Health and the Air Pollution Control District Urge Residents to Limit Smoke Exposure.  Calaveras County Public Health and the Calaveras County Air Pollution Control District are alerting the community that smoke from a prescribed burn on the Stanislaus National Forest may affect local air quality through the end of May 2026. Fire crews on the Calaveras Ranger District began the Irish Prescribed Burn on Monday, May 18, 2026, and plan to burn up to 550 acres during daylight hours through the end of the month.

The burn area is north of Highway 4 between San Antonio Creek and O’Neil Creek, along Forest Road 5N56 and Forest Road 5N52. Daily ignitions will range from 50 to 200 acres, based on weather and smoke conditions.

Communities near the burn and people driving on Highway 4 are most likely to see or smell smoke. Smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight and in the early morning hours.

Prescribed burns help reduce dead trees, brush, and other fuels that can lead to high-intensity wildfires. They also help protect water supplies and wildlife habitat. Even so, smoke from these burns can lower air quality in nearby areas and cause health problems for people who breathe it in.

“If you can see or smell smoke, stay indoors and limit outdoor activity when you can,” said Dr. Rene Ramirez, Calaveras County Health Officer. “Smoke can irritate the lungs and make health problems worse, especially for children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with asthma, heart disease, or other long-term conditions. Simple steps like closing your windows, using an air cleaner, and wearing an N95 mask outside can go a long way to protect your health.”

How Smoke Can Affect Your Health
Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles that can be breathed deep into the lungs. These particles can cause symptoms such as:
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Coughing
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Watery or itchy eyes
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Headache
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Scratchy throat
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Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
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Chest tightness or fast heartbeat
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Worse symptoms in people with asthma, heart disease, or lung disease
Some people are more sensitive to smoke than others. People at higher risk include children, adults aged 65 and older, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions such as heart or lung disease, asthma, or diabetes, people who work outdoors, and people who are immunocompromised. Anyone with serious symptoms should contact a health care provider.

Steps to Reduce Smoke Exposure
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Stay indoors when smoke is heavy. Keep doors and windows closed.
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Limit outdoor exercise and other heavy activity.
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Use a portable air cleaner. Air cleaners work best running with doors and windows closed.
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Run your air conditioner on the recirculate setting. Use a MERV 13 filter if your system can handle one.
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When driving in smoky areas, slow down, turn on your headlights, and set the air to recirculate.
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Wear an N95 or KN95 mask if you must spend time outside in heavy smoke. Cloth masks do not protect against smoke.
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Avoid activities that add to indoor air pollution, such as smoking, frying foods, sweeping, or vacuuming.
How to Check Air Quality

Visit fire.airnow.gov for verified air quality data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. You can also visit https://bit.ly/4dVlQRo for real-time data from monitors around the county. The Calaveras County Air Pollution Control District will continue to monitor air quality and share updates as conditions change.

For More Information
For more about wildfire smoke and your health, visit https://oehha.ca.gov/public-information/general-info/wildfires.

For air quality questions, call the Calaveras County Air Pollution Control District at (209) 754-6601. For public health questions, call Calaveras County Public Health at (209) 754-6460.
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