[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Issues Health Watch for Christopher Creek and Payson Areas Due to Smoke from the Promontory Fire

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Issues Health Watch for Christopher Creek and Payson Areas Due to
Smoke from the Promontory Fire

PHOENIX (May 16, 2007) - Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
(ADEQ) Director Steve Owens said today that ADEQ has issued an air
pollution Health Watch for Thursday,
May 17 for the Christopher Creek area and surrounding areas west to
Payson in Gila County due to smoke from the Promontory Fire.

ADEQ issues a Health Watch when pollution levels have reached a point at
which people
with respiratory or other health problems that make them more sensitive
to air pollution
need to be advised and limit their outdoor activity.

"We are issuing the Health Watch out of an abundance of caution," Owens
said. "Residents with asthma or other respiratory problems, especially
children and seniors, should consider taking precautions, such as
remaining indoors or limiting their activity, especially if they smell
or see smoke from the Promontory Fire."

The highest concentrations of smoke will likely occur in the early
morning hours,
Owens added.

Specific health-related impacts from the smoke will depend largely on
the direction the wind is blowing. Residents are encouraged to refer to
the Wildfire Emergency Response Plan developed by Arizona Department of
Health Services and ADEQ last year.  The plan is available at
http://www.azdhs.gov/phs/oeh/pdf/fireplan606.pdf.  It provides a method
to estimate the Air Quality based on visual range and the actions that
the public should take to protect themselves.

-end-

News media interested in additional information on this or any other
topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should
contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at
communications@azdeq.gov.

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