Best idea on smoky day is staying in

Brush, field fires can cause range of health issues

Since Saturday evening, much of Yuma has had a distinct odor, smelling much like a campfire.

The source of the smell is a fire in a green waste/ mulch pile in the 2300 block of West County 12th Street, west of Avenue A. In fact, it was hard to miss the smoke from the fire, especially on Saturday.

For many Yumans, the smell and the smoke may not raise any red flags.

But for others, smoke can cause a host of health issues, from itchy eyes to a cough to difficulty breathing. In Yuma, smoky days do occur. Sometimes it’s because of fires such as this weekend’s, while other times the smoke happens when growers burn their wheat field stubble, in order to prepare for the next season, which is especially common in the summer months.

According to Yuma Sun file reports, Rural Metro issues between 800-1,000 permits for controlled burns annually.

However, there are a few steps people can take to help mitigate any concerns the smoke may cause.

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that people first use a little common sense. If it seems really smoky outside, skip your morning run and limit your outdoor activities.

It also helps to keep one’s windows and doors closed, run the air conditioner, and make sure that your filters are clean to help prevent additional smoke from coming inside, the EPA reports.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also suggests that people avoid running the vacuum inside, which can stir up particles already inside one’s home and contribute to indoor pollution.

Yumans can also check with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, which issues an air quality report for Yuma to help keep residents informed about the current air quality status.

Smoky days like some experienced in Yuma over the weekend aren’t common, but these actions can help protect you and your family, should such a day strike again soon.

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