Fires around the state force road and forest closures, create health concerns

Tuesday June 14, 3:45 p.m., Douglas, Arizona, 45 miles east of the Monument Fire.

 
Smoke from a distant fire 
Story and photo by Tanya Duarte

It should have been a clear day in Douglas, Arizona, but heavy smoke and a light dusting of ash covered the town in southeast Arizona, just across the border from Mexico.


Most outdoor sports activities were cancelled due to health concerns. By 5:30 p.m. the wind shift sent the majority of smoke to the south into Mexico, allowing some games to continue. However, due to the wind direction we soon had smoke in town from the Horseshoe 2 Fire that is to the northeast about 60 miles.


Both fires are visible from Douglas with heavy smoke in the skies and a night time orange glow visible on the distant mountainsides. Health advisories are in effect for the residents of Douglas especially the elderly and those with COPD or asthma. Douglas Police and Fire Departments are on standby to travel should Sierra Vista need assistance.


This just in - Douglas has cancelled its Fourth of July fireworks and stores are prohibited from selling fireworks.

Cochise County  Residents Warned of Hazardous Air Quality

Air quality in parts of Cochise County could be considered hazardous because of heavy smoke from the Monument Fire burning south of Sierra Vista . Air quality in part is defined by measuring the amount of Particulate Matter (PM), a measurement of solid and liquid droplets in the air, or by using visibility guides. Reports indicate that visibility is less than 1 mile which indicates that concentrations of PM are hazardous in proximity to the fire. Concentrations of PM as a result of the Monument Fire have not yet been measured due to limited air quality monitoring resources.  Portable air monitors are expected to be deployed in the area on June 16, 2011.   Excessive, persistent air pollution is a health threat, especially to children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health problems.

Smoke is responsible for the hazardous air quality. Concentrations of air pollution in the low lying areas are expected to peak in the mornings around sunrise.  Windy conditions are expected to transport smoke to the east and north east during the day time hours. People who are experiencing heavy smoke in southeastern Cochise County throughout the duration of the Monument Fire should stay indoors with doors and windows closed. If the home has air conditioning, people can use it, but should keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean. No one should use an evaporative cooler when air quality is poor. Those people should pay attention to local air quality reports and refer to Arizona Department of Health Services visibility guides.

Air quality will likely be a concern as the fire continues.  Anyone who feels they are at risk may want to consider limiting outdoor exposure. People with health issues (heart or lung disease, COPD, emphysema or asthma) should contact their personal physician if they feel ill as a result of poor air quality. Those wishing to exercise outdoors are cautioned to use good judgement and perhaps choose alternate methods of exercise.

Symptoms from short-term exposure to smoke include scratchy throat, cough, irritated sinuses, headaches, runny nose and stinging eyes, and more serious reactions among those in high-risk groups. Elevated levels of PM also increase the potential for asthma attacks and other asthma-related symptoms in children.

Visit the Arizona Emergency Information Network (AzEIN) website at www.AzEIN.gov for real-time emergency updates, preparedness and hazard information, and multimedia resources.