Smoke from wildfires in California threatening people's health

by Barry Artiste | June 29, 2008 at 04:08 am

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Opinion
Barry Artiste, Now Public Contributor
One can be assured California Celebs are off to exotic places unknown while their poorer neighbours are suffering the consequences of not being as flush with the bucks as their Cause Celeb counterparts.

One would think all Celebs, not just the few would pull out all the stops with Fundraisers for their neighbours, Fire Departments in need of cash and equipment etc. But then we remember this is a George Bush and Arnold Schwarztenegger Republican Voter Society and Celebs care not to associate with those it deems not worthy of their time.

Anywhere else in the world something similar happens, it seems Celebs pack up and go off to Voice support, support that is sincerly lacking on the homefront.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Hundreds of lightning-sparked wildfires have turned the air of Northern California into an unhealthy stew of smoke and ash, forcing the cancellation of athletic events and other outdoor activities.

Health advisories urging residents to stay indoors to limit exposure to the smoky air were issued Saturday from Bakersfield north to Redding, a distance of nearly 725 kilometres.

Air pollution readings in the region are two to 10 times the federal standard for clean air, said Dimitri Stanich, spokesman for the California Air Resources Board.

Some areas are experiencing the worst air quality on record, with the smoke hanging down to the ground like a fog.

Air quality agencies are especially concerned about small-particle pollution. The tiniest particles can penetrate past the body's immune defences, travelling deep into the lungs and the bloodstream.