LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The American Lung Association has released its State of the Air 2019 Report, with Lake County once again getting good ratings for its air quality despite the wildland fires of the last several years.

State and local area air quality are graded on an A through F scale by comparing local ozone and small-particulate concentrations with the federal air quality standards.

Although many areas, especially within California, were given failing grades, Lake County passed with flying colors.

Lake County received an “A” grade for ozone, a “C” grade for short-term particulate pollution and is ranked the 15th Cleanest County in the Nation for annual particulate average concentrations.

Lake County did not change significantly from its previous annual averages even though the period of time covered by this report includes the Valley fire, Rocky fire, Jerusalem fire, Clayton fire, Sulphur fire, Tubbs Fire and other major fires in the region.

Out of California’s 58 counties, Lake County is one of only eight counties in California that did not have any days of ozone exceeds from 2015 through 2017.

The report presents data showing what the residents of Lake County actually are breathing on a daily basis. This report does not exclude wildfire impacts or other natural events that are excluded when determining our attainment status.

The “C” grade for short-term particulate pollution is the result of impacts from the 2015, 2016 and 2017 wildfires. This report does not include the 2018 Ranch, River or the Camp fires.

This report shows that despite the Valley, Rocky, Jerusalem, Clayton and other fires, and the short-term smoke impacts from these fires, the residents of Lake County still enjoy some of the cleanest air in the nation.

The American Lung Association grades are the latest recognition of a long history of air quality accomplishments in Lake County. Strong local support for clean air measures has enabled the county to comply in full with not only the Federal Clean Air Standards, but also with the more rigorous California Standards for ozone and other air pollutants for the past 29 consecutive years. No other air district in California can match that record.

Air Pollution Control Officer Douglas Gearhart of the Lake County Air Quality Management District attributes the success of the program to strong community support for maintaining clean, healthful air and cooperation of local government, including the county of Lake, cities of Lakeport and Clearlake, the local fire protection districts, Cal Fire, the agricultural community, industry, the district board of directors, and to the dedication and hard work of Air Quality Management District staff.

“The 15th cleanest county in the nation for particulate matter is a significant indicator of the hard work and dedication this community has to maintaining a healthful environment,” Gearhart said.