Smoked out in North Coast

<p>Sonoma County's smoky air continued to cast a miasmic pall over summer activities Wednesday, keeping people away from running trails, dog parks and Santa Rosa's usually packed Downtown Market.</p><p>"I'm really feeling the smoke," said Erica Peringer-Batten, slicing up cheese and pepperoni pizza at a market kiosk. "It's scary out, especially when you see that the sun is orange."</p><p>Peringer-Batten had planned to beat the smoke headache and cough by wearing a medical mask while she served pizza. But her boss had asked her not to wear it, she said, and it remained tucked inside her bag.</p><p>"Instead I'm taking breaks, going inside," she said. "I can't stay out here the whole time."</p><p>The evening market still attracted plenty of shoppers, but the crowd was noticeably smaller than usual.</p><p>Smoke from hundreds of fires burning across Northern California settled even deeper into the air Wednesday, prompting public health officials to again warn those sensitive to poor air quality to limit their time outdoors.</p><p>Air quality was the worst in Lake and Mendocino counties, where 38,000 acres have burned since the weekend and fires were only 5 percent contained late Wednesday.</p><p>But Sonoma, Marin and other Bay Area counties also are experiencing unhealthy levels of air pollution from the fires, according to air quality officials.</p><p>While many people are choosing to follow health experts' recommendations, others -- by necessity or choice -- are remaining outdoors and finding ways to cope.</p><p>The ash and other particulate matter floating from the wildfires created a cloud of thick, hazy air that was apparent Wednesday at Howarth Park.</p><p>At Camp Wa-Tam, a Santa Rosa Parks and Recreation day camp, children escaped the draining effects of the hazy air with low-impact activities and sit-down games.</p><p>"We usually play a game called 'Run and Scream' but we vetoed that," camp counselor Sam Johnson said. "We don't want too much exertion."</p><p>The consensus among the 8- to 10-year-old campers was that the wildfires had put a wrinkle in their summer fun.</p><p>Air quality is expected to improve in Sonoma County by the weekend, and medical experts are recommending staying indoors until conditions clear.</p><p>At the Home Depot in Ukiah, air purifiers were sold out Wednesday night as people attempted to keep the smoke out of their homes. Store clerks said they had sold 60 of the units since Sunday.</p><p>Dr. Ralph DiLisio, medical director of critical care and respiratory services at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, said the poor air conditions have led to an increase in asthma and respiratory-related visits.</p><p>Those who suffer from problems such as emphysema, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are most vulnerable to poor air conditions. Elderly people and children are also especially susceptible.</p><p>Symptoms such as an increasing cough, shortness of breath and choking sensations can occur when particulate matter enters the bronchial tubes.</p><p>DiLisio advised against optional outdoor activities. However, for those who must stay or work outside, he recommends frequent work breaks.</p><p>Despite the health advisories, Dave Peritore of Santa Rosa chose a bench at Old Courthouse Square to get some work done on his laptop.</p><p>"I don't have an office," he said. "If I'm at home, then the baby is crying, and my wife will tell me to hold the baby."</p><p>He chose the gray outdoors. But he isn't taking the fires' impact lightly.</p><p>During a trip to Ukiah this weekend, Peritore said he thought about the firefighters working long hours in dangerous conditions.</p><p>"It made me think about how hard the work would be and how the hours for fires don't stop," he said. "Thank you, firefighters."</p><p>You can reach Staff Writers Laura Norton at 521-5220 or laura.norton@pressdemocrat.com and Tracie Morales at 521-5274 or tracie.morales@pressdemocrat.com.</p>