Hazardous air quality hits Imperial Valley due to nearby fire
Adrik Vargas
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Smoke from a large fire just south of the U.S.-Mexico border is causing hazardous air quality in the Imperial Valley, raising concerns among local residents.
The fire, known as the Border 6 Fire near Campo and Tecate, has burned over 200 acres on the Mexico side. Smoke from the blaze has drifted north into Imperial County, filling the skies and worsening air quality.
Thomas Brinkerhoff from the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District explained, “The winds basically shifted to where the smoke was traveling, northwest, and pushed that smoke into the Imperial Valley, the main towns and cities where residents saw and experienced the smoke.”
Officials say the fire itself does not threaten Imperial County, but the air quality is a concern, especially for people with breathing problems.
Brinkerhoff advised, “Limiting their exposure, their breathing of that smoke, goes a long way to reduce any health issues, any health problems including respiratory issues and asthma attacks, and any heart or lung issues.”