Smoke and ash blanket Peninsula: Owners of classic cars face new challenge

Aug 14, 2009 (The Monterey County Herald - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- APCR | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Smoke and ash from the Lockheed Fire in Santa Cruz County drifted south along the coast Thursday to the Peninsula, but it has caused few problems.

Richard Stedman, director of the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District, said air quality around Monterey had not been adversely affected as of 4 p.m. Thursday.

"It's not to the degree where it's impacting our air quality," Stedman said. "We do smell smoke but, by and large, the air quality is good down here."

The district has several air quality monitoring stations, including one in Davenport near the epicenter of the fire. Stedman said that station was reporting good air quality levels early Thursday.

"Unless things change -- and they could -- we don't anticipate that we will have significant impacts on our air quality," Stedman said.

The plume from the fire, which was remaining aloft for the most part, was being pushed Thursday by winds from the northwest over Monterey Bay to the Peninsula.

Stedman said ash that reached the ground posed little threat to health.

"It's large enough where it's not going to get into your lungs," he said.

Those most concerned with the ash may have been the owners of the classic and exotic cars on display on the Peninsula this week.

Prolonged exposure to ash can be corrosive to paint finishes on automobiles, Stedman said.

"I don't own a classic car," he said, and suggested that a damp cloth may be the best way to remove ash and keep

it from breaking down into smaller particulates. He said when the particulates become finer and are put back into the air they can enter the lungs.

People with existing health conditions, such as asthma, and those closest to the fire are advised to limit their time outdoors and not exert themselves in smoky conditions.

"Common sense should prevail," Stedman said. "If you see a lot of smoke, it's probably not a good time to go out for a jog or a bike ride."

He said the district is constantly evaluating weather conditions and air quality and will issue advisories as needed.

"We are monitoring the situation," Stedman said.

Daniel Lopez can be reached at 646-4494 dlopez@montereyherald.com.

For air quality updates, see www.mbuapcd.org

Breathe easy Precautions to take when the air is unhealthy: -- Stay indoors with windows and doors closed. -- Run air conditioners on the "recirculate" setting, if available. A few newer homes have ventilation systems that actively bring in outdoor air. These should be turned off or set to a "recirculate" mode. -- Do not run swamp coolers or whole house fans. -- Minimize or stop outdoor activities, especially exercise, during smoky conditions. -- Those in a "high-risk" health group or those who cannot find adequate shelter from the smoke should move to an emergency shelter. Source: Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District

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