Winds will push wildfire smoke southward across California

Two massive wildfires are raging through Northern California, and shifting winds are expected to push clouds of their smoke across the state.

The Dixie Fire became the sixth largest wildfire in California history after it exploded by more than 20,000 acres Wednesday and now encompasses 322,502 acres, according to the U.S. Forest Service. It was only about 35% contained as of Thursday morning, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The fire is starting to spread to towns in the Lake Almanor area, The Sacramento Bee previously reported. The fastmoving fire prompted new evacuation orders as it approached Chester.

The River Fire also sparked Wednesday, in the Sierra Nevada foothills, and is rapidly spreading near Peardale along State Highway 174. The fire has burned 2,400 acres and destroyed at least 50 structures, the Sacramento Bee reported. It’s 0% contained.

Winds will send the smoke from both fires toward the Sacramento Valley, according to the National Weather Service.

“A wind shift tonight will push smoke southward through the valley eventually into the Sacramento area by tomorrow afternoon,” the National Weather Service said Thursday on Twitter. “Please check the official air quality forecast from http://airnow.gov.”

The air quality index in Sacramento is currently good, but it could change as the smoke blows in. Breathing in smoky and unhealthy air can have serious health effects for many people.

You can check the current air quality on Air Now or Purple Air.

Tips for staying health in poor air quality

The American Lung Association offers these tips to help people stay healthy when air quality is poor.