Air quality advisory issued for Fresno County through the weekend

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District issued an air quality advisory Wednesday afternoon covering all of Fresno County, warning that smoke from wildfires burning near Shaver Lake could push particulate levels into the unhealthy range through the weekend. Officials said sensitive groups — including people with asthma, heart disease, older adults, and children — should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Schools in Fresno Unified and Clovis Unified have already announced they will move recess and P.E. indoors on Thursday and Friday. "We're watching the numbers closely, especially in the northeast part of the county," district spokesperson Heather Heinks said. Real-time readings are available at valleyair.org and on the Valley Air app. Residents are encouraged to keep windows closed, run HVAC systems on recirculate, and use portable HEPA filters where possible.