05/21/2026
Public Health and the Air Pollution Control District Urge Residents to Limit Smoke Exposure
SAN ANDREAS, Calif. – 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.
“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:
• Coughing
• Watery or itchy eyes
• Headache
• Scratchy throat
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or fast heartbeat
• 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.
To read the full press release, click here. https://shorturl.at/pHo51
