LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County has received some good news from the American Lung Association.

The American Lung Association has released its annual State of the Air 2025 Report.

Air quality is 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 returned to the top 25.

Lake County received an “A” grade for Ozone, a “B” grade for short term particulate pollution, and is ranked the 23rd Cleanest County in the Nation for annual particulate average concentrations.

Lake County dropped off the top 25 cleanest counties ranking due to the impacts of the Valley fire, Rocky fire, Jerusalem fire, Clayton fire, Sulphur Fire, the Tubbs Fire, and other major fires in the region.

With fewer wildfire impacts over the past four years, Lake County’s ranking has improved.

Out of California’s 58 counties, Lake County is one of only 13 counties in California that did not have any days of ozone exceeds from 2021 through 2023.

The report presents data showing what the residents of Lake County are actually 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 “B” grade for short term particulate pollution is the result of impacts from wildfires.

This report shows that despite the wildfires and permitted prescribed fires in the region, 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.

The Lake County Air Quality Management District said 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 35 consecutive years.

No other air district in California can match that record, the air district reported.

“The success of the program is a result of the strong community support for maintaining clean, healthful air, cooperation of local government, fire protection districts, calfire, agricultural community, industry, district board of directors, and the dedication and hard work of AQMD [Air Quality Management District staff,” the district reported.

The report can be found by following the link at www.LCAQMD.net.