Air warning clear for Yuba foothills

The Feather River Air Quality Management District issued an advisory notice for Yuba County foothill residents resulting from the Ralston Fire still burning in Placer County.

Though the advisory was valid just through Wednesday, the district included tips for avoiding the dangers of poor air quality in times of fire and other smoke-causing incidents.

Air Pollution Control Officer David Valler Jr. said Wednesday that the forecast appeared to be clearing and while the district was anticipating the foothill residents to be affected intermittently, the advisory expired today.

“There's so much to consider when getting one of these advisories together; where the fire is, how much it's been contained, whether or not it's going to clear out,” Valler explained. “We'll keep our eyes open, but the forecast looks like it's going to clear up.”

By late Wednesday, the Ralston fire had been 56 percent contained, according to the State of California Web site.

The district's air quality planner, Yachun Chow, said Thursday would most likely be much better quality because the temperature is expected to be lower and a south wind will be coming through between 10 and 12 mph.

“A southern wind is cooler, and has a little bit more moisture; of course in this season, it's harder to tell which wind has more moisture because it's all dry, but it's going to be a pretty good speed,” Chow said. “We don't expect to issue any other health and advisory memos this week.”