The air quality alert for Kern County that’s more than a week old will remain in effect until further notice because of the smoke from the large Camp Fire near Chico and Alder Fire north of Porterville.

Children, the elderly and those with respiratory issues are most at risk of getting sick from the smoke, but healthy residents are also advised to stay indoors as much as possible because the smoke can get into your bloodstream and trigger heart attacks and strokes.

That’s why the Valley Air Pollution Control District is also recommending you change the filters in your home and car more often because they get dirty more quickly in this air.

District managers say the storm system that could hit the Central Valley this week could improve the air quality.

Kelli Pierce