An air quality alert will remain in effect as smoke from four wildfires floats into Kern County. The Carr, Ferguson, Ranch and Lion fires are making it difficult for many people to breathe, and Cassandra Melching from the Valley Air Pollution Control District says our geography isn’t helping, as the southern valley is basically a big bowl. Even healthy residents are advised to stay indoors as much as possible because the smoke can get into your bloodstream and trigger heart attacks and strokes.

Kelli Pierce / David Martin