Lake County residents experience asthma symptoms 2 months after Valley Fire

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. (KTVU) - Residents in Lake County said they are experiencing asthma-related symptoms and other issues two months after the Valley Fire swept through the area.

Robin Mortensen told KTVU she always has her inhaler on hand if she leaves the house.

“I’ll be out doing something and just all of a sudden I have the crushing pain and it’s like, 'OK, use the inhaler',” she said.

Mortensen lives near a clean-up site in Middletown where people in hazmat suits sift through potentially toxic ash and debris almost on a daily basis. She said she had asthma before the fire, but her symptoms got worse after the smoke cleared. She now uses her inhaler twice a day.

Mortensen is not alone. Another woman, who only wanted to be identified as Tami, said she is getting migraines on a regular basis and she has had bronchitis. Her children are getting nose bleeds.

“I feel like we’re trapped in our own home,” Tami said.

Dr. Corey Warner with Adventist Health in Hidden Valley Lake said they are seeing a significant amount of patients coming in complaining of respiratory issues.

“We can’t underestimate that the fire itself and the clean-up efforts have re-circulated dust and solvents in the air that has caused patients to have complaints as far as breathing, asthma, allergies, and obstructive pulmonary disease,” Warner said.

Warner said about 60 percent of patients complaining of respiratory problems already had underlying issues that have since been exacerbated. The other 40 percent do not have underlying issues.

He said the migraines are likely related to stress after the fire or being displaced. He attributes the nose bleeds to allergens in the air.

“A lot of patients are dealing with post-traumatic stress,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Lake County Air Quality Management said the agency is monitoring dust particulates in the air. So far, the air quality has been good and they’ve only received a few complaints.
Warner believes the area is safe, but said people with an underlying condition should try to stay way from clean-up sites.

Mortensen said she has tried to stay away, but it makes her worry when crews are suited up outside her home and she is left exposed to the elements.

“You can only stay away for so long,” Mortensen added. “It’s been two months now.”