Current Air Quality Readings for Tehama County
Additional air quality data can be found at: www.fire.airnow.gov. This site includes data from portable and low cost sensors like purple airs that have been deployed throughout the state.
Air Quality Index
The Air Quality Index (AQI) rates the areas air quality based on readings from monitors stationed throughout the county. The District operates two continuous monitoring stations in Red Bluff that monitor Particulate Matter and Ozone concentrations and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) operates one Ozone monitor seasonally on the Tuscan Buttes.
| Name | Color | AQI | Concentration | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Green | 0-50 | PM2.5: 0-9.0ug/m3 O3: 0-54 ppb |
no advisory |
| Moderate | Yellow | 51-100 | PM2.5: 9.1-35.4ug/m3 O3:55-70ppb |
Unusually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion |
| Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
Orange | 101-150 | PM2.5: 35.5-55.4ug/m3 O3: 71-85ppb |
Children, active adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion |
| Unhealthy | Red | 151-200 | PM2.5: 55.5-125.4ug/m3 O3: 86-105ppb |
Children, active adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged outdoor exertion |
| Very Unhealthy | Purple | 201-300 | PM2.5: 125.5-225.4ug/m3 O3: 106-200ppb |
Children, active adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid outdoor exertion; everyone else should limit outdoor exertion |
| Hazardous | Maroon | 301-500 | PM2.5: 225.4-500.4ug/m3 | Everyone should avoid all physical activity outdoors. |
Air Quality and Visibility
Determine the visibility range by looking for distant landmarks such as mountains, or buildings at known distances (miles). The visible range is the point at which these targets or landmarks are no longer visible. The sun should be behind you when viewing the landmarks. Looking towards the sun can make the visibility estimate less reliable. Once distance has been determined follow the guide below:
- If visibility is over 10 miles, the air quality is generally good.
- If visibility is between 5 – 10 miles, the air quality is moderate. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.
- If visibility is between 3 – 5 miles, the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. People with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
- If visibility is between 1.5 – 2.5 miles, the air quality is unhealthy for everyone. People with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
- If visibility is between 1.5 – 2.5 miles, the air quality is Very unhealthy. People with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion
- If under 1 mile, the air quality is Hazardous. Everyone should avoid all outdoor activities.