Full Notification

City of Folsom to Close Aquatic Center, Skate & Bike Park Thursday, August 20

Smoke from Northern California wildfires is causing poor air quality in the Sacramento region, including Folsom.

With smoke and excessive heat warnings in effect, the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, Sacramento County Public Health, and Folsom Fire Department advised residents to stay indoors whenever possible.

The City of Folsom will temporarily close the Steve Miklos Aquatic Center and Cummings Family Skate & Bike Park on Thursday, August 20, due to poor air quality. Future announcements about the status of recreational amenities will be posted at www.folsom.ca.us and on the City of Folsom Facebook and Twitter pages.

Due to an increase in particulate matter pollution, air quality is expected to be in the high-moderate (yellow) to low-unhealthy for sensitive groups (orange) categories on the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District Air Quality Index. Smoke from the fires most likely will affect the greater Sacramento Valley area through Friday, August 21, but may last longer depending on the strength and direction of the winds and the status of the various wildfires.  

Here are some tips you can follow to protect yourself and your family members from unhealthy air:

• Minimize outdoor activities if you see or smell smoke.
• Children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or heart conditions should be particularly careful to avoid exposure.
• Stay indoors with doors and windows closed as much as possible.
• Use your air conditioner set to re-circulating indoor air mode.
• Those with asthma should follow their asthma management plan.
• Contact your doctor if you have symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms you believe to be caused by smoke.
• Those with heart disease should especially limit their smoke exposure due to increased risk of heart attacks.

Cloth face coverings and surgical masks are not effective protection against particulate matter from wildfires. The most effective way to reduce exposure to smoke is to stay indoors.  

The City of Folsom will continue to monitor air quality reports and issue further updates as conditions change. Sign up for Spare the Air alerts at www.sparetheair.com/airalert.cfm. Download the Spare the Air app for the daily air quality forecast, current air pollution conditions, Spare the Air alerts and wildfire smoke advisories. Learn more at www.sparetheair.com.