City issues air quality advisory from nearby forest fires

Children, elderly and those with breathing problems most at risk

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The City of Jacksonville's Environmental Quality Division issued an air quality advisory, as elevated levels of particulate matter occurred Friday.

City officials said the advisory will expire at midnight on Friday, but it could be reissued on Saturday.

Smoke from forest fires in southeast Duval County are contributing to elevated particulate matter concentrations.

Florida Forest Service said a lightning strike on Wednesday sparked a fire that is causing heavy smoke in between the University of North Florida and Mayo Clinic. The San Pablo fire was about 15 football fields large and 75 percent contained. 

Tiricka Beckhal said she loves going for walks with her 5-month old daughter Saige. But she said her little bundle of joy already has health issues.

"She already has breathing problems. They already think she has asthma. My father has it," said Beckhal.

So when Beckhal first heard about the air quality advisory issued for the city, she became concerned about her daughter's well-being.

"I'm very protective of her. This is my first. You just never know. It is so unexpected." Beckhal said. "You don't want to wake up in the middle of the night to your child having an asthma attack. It's very scary."

News4Jax spoke to Steven Pace, the senior environmental engineer for the city. He said during this type of advisory, people should pay attention and change their habits, especially the elderly, the very young, and those with respiratory problems.

"During periods of time when the concentrations are high, just stay inside an air-conditioned house," Pace said.

Children, the elderly and sensitive individuals should take steps to avoid exposure by staying inside or refraining from strenuous outdoor activity.  If exercising outdoors, substituting less vigorous exercise (a walk instead of a jog, for example) could be helpful. 

The Environmental Quality Division maintains a dedicated web site which includes the most up-to-date Air Quality Index information for the city. Links available on the site will redirect you to EPA AIRNOW, which collects the Environmental Quality Division's data and provides the most current air quality data and forecasts for the City of Jacksonville.  

Current Active Wildfires in Northeast Florida

Start Date

County

Fire Name

Location

Acres

Fire Cause

Containment

Comments

5/11/15

Clay

Wheeler Branch

Jennings State Forest

50

Authorized Burn

100%

No smoke showing- continue to monitor

5/31/15

Clay

226

Bayard Conservation Area 1 mile east of US 17 and south of 226

80

Debris Burn

100%

Still smoking needle cast is reburning

6/2/15

Duval

Burma Road

East of 9B and 2 miles north of Phillips Hwy

0.1

Lightning

100%

Put 150 gal of water – no smoke showing

6/6/15

Duval

Anders Road

West of 295 and south of Beach Blvd

2.5

Incendiary

100%

no visible smoke- continue to monitor

6/6/15

Duval

Factory

US 17 and Alton Box Road

8

Incendiary

100%

No smoke showing

6/9/15

Duval

Sandhill

East of Phillips Hwy and north of Nocatee Pkwy

1

Lightning

100%

Put 450 gal of water

6/10/15

Duval

San Pablo

1.75 miles south of JTB and 3 miles east of I295

15

Lightning

75%

Swampy area of perimeter is not contained-  put 2,500 gal water- lot of unburned fuel inside fire that continues to burn out, smoking heavily

6/12/15

Duval

San Pablo #2

1.75 miles south of JTB and 3 miles east of I295

48

Lightning is most likely cause

100%

Still a few pockets of unburned fuel to burn out- improving lines so brush trucks can mop up perimeter

6/8/15

Putnam

Kenwood

In the Ocklawaha area of Rodman Dam

1.7

undetermined

100%

Continue to monitor

5/21/15

St Johns

Creek Side

North of 210 and west of 2209

22.1

Lightning

100%

Three hot spots remain- received rain yesterday

5/21/15

St Johns

Moses Creek

½ mile north of SR206 and 1 mile east of US1

7

Lightning

100%

Received 1.5" rainfall

5/28/15

St Johns

12-Mile Swamp

Quarter mile west of US 1 and 2 miles north of International Golf Pkwy

38.8

Undetermined

Under investigation

90%

Received good rainfall

6/4/15

St Johns

Leo Maguire

East of Leo Maguire Pkwy and 2 miles north of 16A

1

Lightning

100%

Two hot spots remain- continue to monitor

6/9/15

St Johns

Shores Treatment Plant

400 block of Julietta Ct

0.1

Lightning

100%

Couple hot spots remain– still contained

6/9/15

St Johns

GP

I-95 and SR 207

3.5

Lightning

100%

Put 350 gal of water- all lines are good

6/9/15

St Johns

Allen Nease

I95 and SR 207, east of Allen Nease Rd

0.5

Lightning

100%

1 hot spot remains




About the Author:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.