Headline: Ack! Distant fires leave California's capital city in a haze

No major wildfires are burning near Sacramento but for two weeks a dull haze and the faint smell of smoke from distant blazes has blanketed California's capital region.

It's forced summer campers to stay inside, obscured normally bright skylines and left ash on cars.

Experiencing smoky air from blowing winds is nothing new in many California cities, but Sacramento air quality experts say it's rare for the dirty air to linger for so long, a reality of ever-larger fires that take longer to extinguish.

The haze stretches to the Sierra Nevada mountain range and nearly every major population center in between has suffered air quality considered dangerous for children, the elderly and people with asthma.

Winds often blow smoky air around California during intense fires, but Sacramento air quality experts say it's rare for the dirty air to linger for so long, a reality of ever-larger fires that take longer to extinguish.

There are two major wildfires _ one called the Mendocino Complex Fire that is the largest in California history _ burning more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Sacramento and another huge fire near Yosemite National Park a little farther to the southeast. Firefighters made significant process against the Mendocino Complex for the first time Wednesday but said the blazes will likely continue through September.

Wednesday marked the Sacramento region's 13th straight "Spare the Air" day, when people are encouraged not to drive and add further pollutants to the air _ the longest stretch since at least 2001. A similar warning is effect in the San Francisco Bay Area, and air quality experts in California's Central Valley and areas southeast of Los Angeles are warning residents to limit outdoor exposure because of wildfires there.

A day earlier, dozens of summer campers sat inside watching a movie at a Sacramento YMCA.

"Normally that doesn't happen on a regular day at camp," said Jay Lowden, president of the YMCA for a nine-county region that serves more than 700 kids weekly at 13 summer camps. His counselors monitor the air quality on a daily basis, and Lowden said he may cancel a planned family camp this weekend in the foothills because of the smoke.

Lori Kobza, spokeswoman for the Sacramento Air Quality Management District, said it's hard to predict when things will improve because of the unpredictably of the fires and the winds.

Because the city is located in a valley, it's easier for smoky air to get trapped here when high pressure systems blow in, making Sacramento like a smoke-filled bowl that's had a lid placed tightly on top.

Sacramento, California - 8 August 2018

1. Various of kids playing indoors at YMCA Sacramento day camp (YMCA says parents signed waivers allowing kids to be on camera)

2. Various of playground equipment not being used

3. SOUNDITE (English) Jay Lowden, president of YMCA of Superior California

"The wildfires and the air quality and lack of good air quality has impacted our camps. We have to keep the kids inside more. A lot of the outdoor physical activities we've had to curtail and cut back on. And it's frustrating because the kids are spending more time inside. They get a little bit of cabin fever."

4. California State Capitol building in hazy air

5. Sacramento River and skyline in hazy air

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Lori Kobza, spokeswoman, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

"We're just most concerned right now with the wildfire smoke and the particulate matter. So we do encourage people to stay indoors and limit their outside activities."

7. Screen showing air quality index

8. Kobza on computer showing air quality map

9. Screen showing air quality map of Sacrament region

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Lori Kobza, spokeswoman, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

"Now the Mendocino Complex Fires right now are so huge are burning over 300,000 acres and they are contributing the majority of the smoke. Right now however we are still seeing impacts from the Carr Fire, which is burning up near Redding and the Ferguson Fire which is burning in the Yosemite Valley area."

11. Various of kids playing indoors at YMCA day camp

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Braylin Sligar, YMCA camp director

"So air quality wise, so it limits our outdoor time which is hard during summer because it's all about being outdoors and using the outdoors to have fun and to play. So we've had to incorporate a lot more indoor activities in developing our program to accommodate the weather."

13. Boys playing basketball in gym

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Nolasco, 11, YMCA day camper

"It's a very good idea to have a stay indoors because sometimes the pollution can make us sick and stuff."

15. Kids sitting in gym with camp counselor

Headline: Ack! Distant fires leave California's capital city in a haze

No major wildfires are burning near Sacramento but for two weeks a dull haze and the faint smell of smoke from distant blazes has blanketed California's capital region.

It's forced summer campers to stay inside, obscured normally bright skylines and left ash on cars.

Experiencing smoky air from blowing winds is nothing new in many California cities, but Sacramento air quality experts say it's rare for the dirty air to linger for so long, a reality of ever-larger fires that take longer to extinguish.

The haze stretches to the Sierra Nevada mountain range and nearly every major population center in between has suffered air quality considered dangerous for children, the elderly and people with asthma.

Winds often blow smoky air around California during intense fires, but Sacramento air quality experts say it's rare for the dirty air to linger for so long, a reality of ever-larger fires that take longer to extinguish.

There are two major wildfires _ one called the Mendocino Complex Fire that is the largest in California history _ burning more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Sacramento and another huge fire near Yosemite National Park a little farther to the southeast. Firefighters made significant process against the Mendocino Complex for the first time Wednesday but said the blazes will likely continue through September.

Wednesday marked the Sacramento region's 13th straight "Spare the Air" day, when people are encouraged not to drive and add further pollutants to the air _ the longest stretch since at least 2001. A similar warning is effect in the San Francisco Bay Area, and air quality experts in California's Central Valley and areas southeast of Los Angeles are warning residents to limit outdoor exposure because of wildfires there.

A day earlier, dozens of summer campers sat inside watching a movie at a Sacramento YMCA.

"Normally that doesn't happen on a regular day at camp," said Jay Lowden, president of the YMCA for a nine-county region that serves more than 700 kids weekly at 13 summer camps. His counselors monitor the air quality on a daily basis, and Lowden said he may cancel a planned family camp this weekend in the foothills because of the smoke.

Lori Kobza, spokeswoman for the Sacramento Air Quality Management District, said it's hard to predict when things will improve because of the unpredictably of the fires and the winds.

Because the city is located in a valley, it's easier for smoky air to get trapped here when high pressure systems blow in, making Sacramento like a smoke-filled bowl that's had a lid placed tightly on top.

Sacramento, California - 8 August 2018

1. Various of kids playing indoors at YMCA Sacramento day camp (YMCA says parents signed waivers allowing kids to be on camera)

2. Various of playground equipment not being used

3. SOUNDITE (English) Jay Lowden, president of YMCA of Superior California

"The wildfires and the air quality and lack of good air quality has impacted our camps. We have to keep the kids inside more. A lot of the outdoor physical activities we've had to curtail and cut back on. And it's frustrating because the kids are spending more time inside. They get a little bit of cabin fever."

4. California State Capitol building in hazy air

5. Sacramento River and skyline in hazy air

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Lori Kobza, spokeswoman, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

"We're just most concerned right now with the wildfire smoke and the particulate matter. So we do encourage people to stay indoors and limit their outside activities."

7. Screen showing air quality index

8. Kobza on computer showing air quality map

9. Screen showing air quality map of Sacrament region

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Lori Kobza, spokeswoman, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

"Now the Mendocino Complex Fires right now are so huge are burning over 300,000 acres and they are contributing the majority of the smoke. Right now however we are still seeing impacts from the Carr Fire, which is burning up near Redding and the Ferguson Fire which is burning in the Yosemite Valley area."

11. Various of kids playing indoors at YMCA day camp

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Braylin Sligar, YMCA camp director

"So air quality wise, so it limits our outdoor time which is hard during summer because it's all about being outdoors and using the outdoors to have fun and to play. So we've had to incorporate a lot more indoor activities in developing our program to accommodate the weather."

13. Boys playing basketball in gym

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Nolasco, 11, YMCA day camper

"It's a very good idea to have a stay indoors because sometimes the pollution can make us sick and stuff."

15. Kids sitting in gym with camp counselor

No major wildfires are burning near Sacramento but for two weeks a dull haze and the faint smell of smoke from distant blazes has blanketed California's capital region.

It's forced summer campers to stay inside, obscured normally bright skylines and left ash on cars.

Winds often blow smoky air around California during intense fires, but Sacramento air quality experts say it's rare for the dirty air to linger for so long, a reality of ever-larger fires that take longer to extinguish.

The haze stretches to the Sierra Nevada mountain range and nearly every major population center in between has suffered air quality considered dangerous for children, the elderly and people with asthma.

There are two major wildfires - one called the Mendocino Complex Fire that is the largest in California history - burning more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Sacramento and another huge fire near Yosemite National Park a little farther to the southeast.

Sacramento, California - 8 August 2018

1. Various of kids playing indoors at YMCA Sacramento day camp

2. Various of playground equipment not being used

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jay Lowden, president of YMCA of Superior California

"The wildfires and the air quality and lack of good air quality has impacted our camps. We have to keep the kids inside more. A lot of the outdoor physical activities we've had to curtail and cut back on. And it's frustrating because the kids are spending more time inside. They get a little bit of cabin fever."

4. California State Capitol building in hazy air

5. Sacramento River and skyline in hazy air

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Lori Kobza, spokeswoman, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

"We're just most concerned right now with the wildfire smoke and the particulate matter. So we do encourage people to stay indoors and limit their outside activities."

7. Screen showing air quality index

8. Kobza on computer showing air quality map

9. Screen showing air quality map of Sacramento region

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Lori Kobza, spokeswoman, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

"Now the Mendocino Complex Fires right now are so huge are burning over 300,000 acres and they are contributing the majority of the smoke. Right now however we are still seeing impacts from the Carr Fire, which is burning up near Redding and the Ferguson Fire which is burning in the Yosemite Valley area."

11. Various of kids playing indoors at YMCA day camp

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Braylin Sligar, YMCA camp director

"So air quality wise, so it limits our outdoor time which is hard during summer because it's all about being outdoors and using the outdoors to have fun and to play. So we've had to incorporate a lot more indoor activities in developing our programme to accommodate the weather."

13. Boys playing basketball in gym

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Nolasco, 11, YMCA day camper

"It's a very good idea to have a stay indoors because sometimes the pollution can make us sick and stuff."

15. Kids sitting in gym with camp counselor

HEADLINE: Wildfires causing poor air quality in N. Calif.

---------------------------------------

CAPTION: Wildfires raging across California are being blamed for unhealthy air quality throughout the San Joaquin Valley. The heavy smoke and particulate pollution has prompted an air quality warning. (June 24)

----------------------------------------

[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]

NB. THIS IS A VOICEOVER TRANSCRIPT, NOT A FULL SHOT LIST.

(locator - Napa, CA)

RIGHT NOW THE SMOKY AROMA IN CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY ISN'T COMING FROM THE OAK AGED MERLOT.

Ripple Sharma, Tourist, says: "Normally there's a great view of the ocean but all you see are these dry hills and haze."

THE HAZE IS COMING FROM HUNDREDS OF SMALL WILDFIRES BURNING ALL OVER NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

Elaine St. Clair, Black Stallion Winery, says: "At night we could see an orange glow at the very top of the hill and there was smoke."

THAT SMOKE IS EVERYWHERE. AIR QUALITY OFFICIALS TO PUT OUT AN ADVISORY TO AVOID THE OUTDOORS IF POSSIBLE.

Kristine Roselius, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, says: "We do have some smoke effects here in the Bay Area. We have higher than usual levels of particulate matter. So we're advising people that are sensitive to the smoke to stay inside, keep their children inside and just use common sense."

(camp counselor tells kids: "We're gonna play indoor baseball with the rubber ball.")

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS ARE KEEPING CHILDREN INDOORS.

Eric Dreikosen, Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley, says: "It's much darker. You can absolutely smell the smoke in the air."

THE KIDS SHOULD BE ALLOWED BACK OUTSIDE WEDNESDAY AS OFF-SHORE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BLOW MUCH OF THE SMOKE AWAY. HAVEN DALEY, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, NAPA, CALIFORNIA.

STORYLINE

Winds picked up and sent flames from a massive Southern California wildfire rushing downhill on the flanks of Mount San Jacinto.

Helicopters making water drops and air tankers pouring red flame retardant circled overhead as flames burned both sides of the main road leading to the scenic town of Idyllwild.

The blaze erupted on July 25th and quickly turned into a wall of flame that torched timber and dry brush. In a matter of hours, the so-called Cranston Fire grew to 7.5 square miles (19 square kilometers).

About 3,000 residents were under evacuation orders Thursday in Idyllwild and several neighboring communities.

California Governor Jerry Brown declared states of emergency for this fire and two others.

***

An explosive wildfire that has torn through several Northern California communities, forcing thousands to flee and burning hundreds of home houses, continues to grow out of control.

Firefighters spent much of the day on July 28th scrambling from one flare-up to another spread over miles of mountainous terrain.

It's now the largest fire burning in California.

Two firefighters were killed in the blaze, including a bulldozer operator who was helping clear vegetation in the wildfire's path.

About 38,000 people were under evacuation orders, 5,000 homes were threatened and the fire was just 5 percent contained.

The latest tally of 536 destroyed structures was up from 500 earlier in the day, and sure to rise.

A count by The Associated Press found at least 300 of those structures were homes.

Authorities also announced that three more people had been killed in the blaze, two young children and their great-grandmother.

***

Keswick, a mountain town of about 450 people, has been reduced to an ashy moonscape of blackened trees and smouldering rubble.

The San Bernardino County Fire Department was called in to tamp down smoking piles of debris that were scattered around the town amid downed electricity lines.

The deadly Northern California wildfire that has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes slowed down on July 29th after days of explosive growth, giving officials hope even as they announced the discovery of a sixth fatality.

The blaze is burning around Redding, a city of roughly 92,000 people about 230 miles (370 kilometers) north of San Francisco.

Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko said authorities found a sixth victim of the blaze at a home that was consumed by flames. The victim's identity was not released. Several others have been reported missing.

The so-called Carr Fire was ignited by a vehicle problem on Monday about 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of the city.

On July 27th, it swept through the historic Gold Rush town of Shasta and nearby Keswick, fueled by gusty winds and dry vegetation.

It then jumped the Sacramento River and took out subdivisions on the western edge of Redding.

The latest tally showed at least 657 homes destroyed and another 145 damaged, with the fire having consumed 149 square miles (386 square kilometers).

***

In Northern California, twin fires straddling Mendocino and Lake counties have destroyed at least seven homes and threatened an estimated 12,000 more, US fire officials said.

Firefighters pressed their battle against a pair of fires that have burned 117 square miles (300 square kilometres) across Mendocino and Lake counties.

Lake County is about 110 miles (180 kilometres) north of San Francisco.

In all, roughly 19,000 people have been warned to flee.

Evacuation orders remained in effect on July 31st for the town of Lakeport, along with some smaller communities and a section of the Mendocino National Forest.

Lakeport is a popular destination for bass anglers and boaters on the shores of Clear Lake. By July 30th, it was a ghost town, its main streets deserted.

***

One of two wildfires burning miles apart in Northern California grew overnight, scorching dry vegetation in rugged terrain.

Satellite images from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the European Space Agency show the scope of the fires as they burned across the state in the last few days.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Tuesday the blaze burning in Mendocino, Lake and Colusa counties has scorched 378 square miles (979 square kilometers). It's only 20 percent contained.

But fire crews made progress against the other blaze, which is now 78 percent contained.

On August 6th the wildfires known as the Mendocino Complex, became the state's largest wildfire in history.

Officials say together the blazes about 100 miles (259 kilometers) north of San Francisco have charred 455 square miles (1,178 square kilometers).

That surpasses a wildfire in 2017 in Southern California that burned 440 square miles (1,140 square kilometers).

***

Smoke from hundreds of wildfires ranging along the North American West Coast are blanketing Seattle and the northwest with heavy smoke.

Public-health officials warned of unhealthy air across many parts of the Pacific Northwest.

Local and regional wildfires are causing smoke and haze in Washington, prompting air quality alerts from Walla Walla to Spokane to Yakima.

The National Weather Service issued an air quality alert for much of Central and Eastern Washington and northern Idaho through August 14th.

The service says unhealthy air will be common because of the large wildfires currently burning in the region.

People should limit outdoor activity when possible, officials said.

Smoke can irritate eyes and worsen problems for people with pre-existing health conditions.

Air quality was at unhealthy levels for sensitive groups including children, the elderly and people with respiratory illness on August 13th, several clean-air agencies in Puget Sound said.

In Oregon, fires in Washington state and in the southern part of the state were also causing smoky, hazy conditions August 13th.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on August 13th issued several air quality advisories.

It says air quality was unhealthy in the Portland region, as well as in areas including Pendleton, Grants Pass, Medford and Pendleton.

In Beaverton, schools suspended outdoor athletic activities because of the unhealthy air quality.

Thirteen large wildfires have burned more than 211 square miles in Washington state, while 10 large fires have scorched more than 256 square miles in Oregon, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. About 600 wildfires are burning across British Columbia.

01:11:01

00:00:00

California fire burns homes, injures firefighters, civilians

4165359

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Idyllwild, California - 26 July 2018

1. Smoke rising behind trees

2. Flames, smoke rising from mountain

3. Vehicles driving on road, massive pillar of smoke behind them

00:12:00

Deadly fire in rural Northern California rages into its seventh day

4165571

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Redding, California - 28 July 2018

4. Various of firefighters fighting fire on the outskirts of Redding

00:23:23

California wildfire leaves swathe of devastation in Keswick

4165669

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Keswick - 29 July 2018

5. Tracking shot of area destroyed by fire, including burned cars, trees, houses and scorched land

00:32:23

Twin Northern California fires threaten 12,000 homes

4165996

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lakeport, California - 31 July 2018

6. Various of firefighter watching smoke and helicopter

7. Flames

8. Various of group of firefighters looking at flaming mountains

9. Helicopter near flames

10. Fire on the mountains

11. Firefighting aircraft

00:58:17

California Wildfires Seen from Space

4166859

NOAA

Space - 6 August 2018

12. STILL: Satellite image with map boundaries and locations overlaid

01:03:01

Smoke from western wildfires blankets Seattle

4167906

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Seattle - August 14, 2018

13. Various of smoke-filled Seattle, skyline

188396

Greece - Wildfires

APTN

Pilion Mountain region nr Volos, Central Greece, Suburb of Patras, Peloponesus, southern Greece and Ageoianergiri, 150km (100 miles) south of Athens - 13-14 July 2000

July 13 NIGHT SHOTS - Pilion Mountain region nr Volos, Central Greece

1. Various of fires

July 14 Daytime - Suburb of Patras, Peloponnese peninsula, southern Greece

2. Man trying to beat out fires

July 14 Ageoianergiri, 150km (100 miles) south of Athens

3. Various of plane dropping water over fires

4. Various of fires on hill side

522379

US - Firefighters battle wildfires in California and Florida

AP TELEVISION

Various - 11 May 2007

Avalon, Catalina Island, California

1. Aerial shot of huge plumes of smoke rising from mountains

2. Various aerials of fire

Osceola National Forest, Columbia County, Florida

3. Various of forest fire

349148

Russia - Forest Fires Causing Smog That Is Enveloping Moscow

APTN

Moscow/Novaya - 5 Sept 2002

Novaya, 30 kilometres east of Moscow

1. Forest near the village of Novaya, 30 kilometres east of Moscow

2. Burnt trees with the haze in the background

3. Two firefighters

4. Close up fire

5. Firefighter

6. Pan smoke

Moscow

7. Haze in Moscow

8. Red star on the Kremlin

349380

Russia - Smog Blankets Moscow

APTN

Moscow - 8 Sept 2002

1. Kremlin in smog

2. Bridge over river in smog

3. Pedestrians walking along a bridge

4. Woman passing by and covering face with a handkerchief

1208

USA - Los Angeles Smog

APTV

Los Angeles - 2 December 1994

1. GV Los Angeles smog

2. Traffic in Los Angeles

350425

Mexico - Pollution

APTN

Mexico City - 19 September 2002

1. WS Mexico City skyline in heavy smog

2. HS traffic at Angel de la Independencia in Mexico City

3. Zoom out skyline in smog

4. VS traffic and smog

Most schools in San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland and Folsom will be closed Friday as a deadly wildfire in Northern California sends smoke into the Bay Area.

School districts announced the closures Thursday as the region experienced some of the worst air quality since the fire started a week ago about 180 miles (290 kilometers) north of San Francisco.

An Environmental Protection Agency website says the air quality in Sacramento is "hazardous" Thursday and San Francisco's is "very unhealthy." Many people walking around the cities wore face masks.

Several Northern California universities had announced closures earlier Thursday.

The wildfire that started a week ago has killed dozens of people and charred nearly 220 square miles (570 square kilometers).

Smoke masks. Eye drops. No outdoor exercise. This is how Californians are trying to cope with wildfires choking the state, but experts say an increase in serious health problems may be almost inevitable for vulnerable residents as the disasters become more commonplace.

"It just feels very smoky and full of particulates. I'm definitely worried about my son who's breathing this stuff. We've got air filters at home and we're running them at full speed but I'm not sure it's enough to get rid of all the toxic particulates so I'm definitely worried about the health of my family and the city in general," San Francisco resident Daniel Horn said.

Research suggests children, the elderly and those with existing health problems are most at risk.

Short-term exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen existing asthma and lung disease, leading to emergency room treatment or hospitalization, studies have shown.

Increases in doctor visits or hospital treatment for respiratory infections, bronchitis and pneumonia in otherwise healthy people also have been found during and after wildfires.

Some studies also have found increases in ER visits for heart attacks and strokes in people with existing heart disease on heavy smoke days during previous California wildfires, echoing research on potential risks from urban air pollution.

For most healthy people, exposure to wildfire smoke is just an annoyance, causing burning eyes, scratchy throats or chest discomfort that all disappear when the smoke clears.

But doctors, scientists and public health officials are concerned that the changing face of wildfires will pose a much broader health hazard,

In an overview published earlier this year, Cascio wrote that the increasing frequency of large wildland fires, urban expansion into wooded areas and an aging population are all increasing the number of people at risk for health problems from fires.

Wood smoke contains some of the same toxic chemicals as urban air pollution, along with tiny particles of vapor and soot 30 times thinner than a human hair. These can infiltrate the bloodstream, potentially causing inflammation and blood vessel damage even in healthy people, research on urban air pollution has shown. Studies have linked heart attacks and cancer with long-term exposure to air pollution.

Whether exposure to wildfire smoke carries the same risks is uncertain, and determining harm from smog versus wildfire smoke can be tricky, especially with wind-swept California wildfires spreading thick smoke hundreds of miles away into smoggy big cities.

San Francisco - 15 November 2018

1.Two men sit in foreground, barely visible Golden Gate Bridge in background

2. Dogwalker wears masks while six dogs on leashes follow along the beach

3. View of Golden Gate Bridge from smoky Crissy Field

4. Woman wearing mask holds small dog with bridge in background

5. Walking shot of man with dog on Crissy Field beach

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Chloe Allegret, San Francisco resident:

"It's pretty uncomfortable. It's definitely causing shortness of breath, pressure in the sinuses so we're taking it easy."

7. Food delivery workers loading up van while wearing masks

8. Postal worker delivers mail while wearing mask

9. UPS driver wears mask while making delivery

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Daniel Horn, San Francisco resident:

"It just feels very smoky and full of particulates. I'm definitely worried about my son who's breathing this stuff. We've got air filters at home and we're running them at full speed but I'm not sure it's enough to get rid of all the toxic particulates so I'm definitely worried about the health of my family and the city in general."

11. Man walks along city's Embarcadero wearing mask

12. Embarcadero cleaning crew rides by on bicycle while wearing mask

13. Two women sit on park bench wearing masks

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Kylie Garcia, San Francisco resident:

"It sucks for people who are allergic to this stuff. Even me, I'm walking out here and my god, now my throat is feeling raspy. I walk here everyday on my work lunch break. It's crazy. I can't believe it. It's really sad and hopefully they'll be able to stop it. We'll see how long it goes."

15. Fire boat floating on Bay in foreground, Bay Bridge in smog in background

Most schools in San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland and Folsom will be closed Friday as a deadly wildfire in Northern California sends smoke into the Bay Area.

School districts announced the closures Thursday as the region experienced some of the worst air quality since the fire started a week ago about 180 miles (290 kilometers) north of San Francisco.

An Environmental Protection Agency website says the air quality in Sacramento is "hazardous" Thursday and San Francisco's is "very unhealthy." Many people walking around the cities wore face masks.

Several Northern California universities had announced closures earlier Thursday.

The wildfire that started a week ago has killed dozens of people and charred nearly 220 square miles (570 square kilometers).

Smoke masks. Eye drops. No outdoor exercise. This is how Californians are trying to cope with wildfires choking the state, but experts say an increase in serious health problems may be almost inevitable for vulnerable residents as the disasters become more commonplace.

"It just feels very smoky and full of particulates. I'm definitely worried about my son who's breathing this stuff. We've got air filters at home and we're running them at full speed but I'm not sure it's enough to get rid of all the toxic particulates so I'm definitely worried about the health of my family and the city in general," San Francisco resident Daniel Horn said.

Research suggests children, the elderly and those with existing health problems are most at risk.

Short-term exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen existing asthma and lung disease, leading to emergency room treatment or hospitalization, studies have shown.

Increases in doctor visits or hospital treatment for respiratory infections, bronchitis and pneumonia in otherwise healthy people also have been found during and after wildfires.

Some studies also have found increases in ER visits for heart attacks and strokes in people with existing heart disease on heavy smoke days during previous California wildfires, echoing research on potential risks from urban air pollution.

For most healthy people, exposure to wildfire smoke is just an annoyance, causing burning eyes, scratchy throats or chest discomfort that all disappear when the smoke clears.

But doctors, scientists and public health officials are concerned that the changing face of wildfires will pose a much broader health hazard,

In an overview published earlier this year, Cascio wrote that the increasing frequency of large wildland fires, urban expansion into wooded areas and an aging population are all increasing the number of people at risk for health problems from fires.

Wood smoke contains some of the same toxic chemicals as urban air pollution, along with tiny particles of vapor and soot 30 times thinner than a human hair. These can infiltrate the bloodstream, potentially causing inflammation and blood vessel damage even in healthy people, research on urban air pollution has shown. Studies have linked heart attacks and cancer with long-term exposure to air pollution.

Whether exposure to wildfire smoke carries the same risks is uncertain, and determining harm from smog versus wildfire smoke can be tricky, especially with wind-swept California wildfires spreading thick smoke hundreds of miles away into smoggy big cities.

San Francisco - 15 November 2018

1. Two men sit in foreground, barely visible Golden Gate Bridge in background

2. Dogwalker wears masks while six dogs on leashes follow along the beach

3. View of Golden Gate Bridge from smoky Crissy Field

4. Woman wearing mask holds small dog with bridge in background

5. Walking shot of man with dog on Crissy Field beach

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Chloe Allegret, San Francisco resident:

"It's pretty uncomfortable. It's definitely causing shortness of breath, pressure in the sinuses so we're taking it easy."

7. Food delivery workers loading up van while wearing masks

8. Postal worker delivers mail while wearing mask

9. UPS driver wears mask while making delivery

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Daniel Horn, San Francisco resident:

"It just feels very smoky and full of particulates. I'm definitely worried about my son who's breathing this stuff. We've got air filters at home and we're running them at full speed but I'm not sure it's enough to get rid of all the toxic particulates so I'm definitely worried about the health of my family and the city in general."

11. Man walks along city's Embarcadero wearing mask

12. Embarcadero cleaning crew rides by on bicycle while wearing mask

13. Two women sit on park bench wearing masks

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Kylie Garcia, San Francisco resident:

"It sucks for people who are allergic to this stuff. Even me, I'm walking out here and my god, now my throat is feeling raspy. I walk here everyday on my work lunch break. It's crazy. I can't believe it. It's really sad and hopefully they'll be able to stop it. We'll see how long it goes."

15. Fire boat floating on Bay in foreground, Bay Bridge in smog in background

Most schools in San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland and Folsom will be closed Friday as a deadly wildfire in Northern California sends smoke into the Bay Area.

School districts announced the closures Thursday as the region experienced some of the worst air quality since the fire started a week ago about 180 miles (290 kilometers) north of San Francisco.

An Environmental Protection Agency website says the air quality in Sacramento is "hazardous" Thursday and San Francisco's is "very unhealthy." Many people walking around the cities wore face masks.

Several Northern California universities had announced closures earlier Thursday.

The wildfire that started a week ago has killed dozens of people and charred nearly 220 square miles (570 square kilometers).

Smoke masks. Eye drops. No outdoor exercise. This is how Californians are trying to cope with wildfires choking the state, but experts say an increase in serious health problems may be almost inevitable for vulnerable residents as the disasters become more commonplace.

"It just feels very smoky and full of particulates. I'm definitely worried about my son who's breathing this stuff. We've got air filters at home and we're running them at full speed but I'm not sure it's enough to get rid of all the toxic particulates so I'm definitely worried about the health of my family and the city in general," San Francisco resident Daniel Horn said.

Research suggests children, the elderly and those with existing health problems are most at risk.

Short-term exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen existing asthma and lung disease, leading to emergency room treatment or hospitalization, studies have shown.

Increases in doctor visits or hospital treatment for respiratory infections, bronchitis and pneumonia in otherwise healthy people also have been found during and after wildfires.

Some studies also have found increases in ER visits for heart attacks and strokes in people with existing heart disease on heavy smoke days during previous California wildfires, echoing research on potential risks from urban air pollution.

For most healthy people, exposure to wildfire smoke is just an annoyance, causing burning eyes, scratchy throats or chest discomfort that all disappear when the smoke clears.

But doctors, scientists and public health officials are concerned that the changing face of wildfires will pose a much broader health hazard,

In an overview published earlier this year, Cascio wrote that the increasing frequency of large wildland fires, urban expansion into wooded areas and an aging population are all increasing the number of people at risk for health problems from fires.

Wood smoke contains some of the same toxic chemicals as urban air pollution, along with tiny particles of vapor and soot 30 times thinner than a human hair. These can infiltrate the bloodstream, potentially causing inflammation and blood vessel damage even in healthy people, research on urban air pollution has shown. Studies have linked heart attacks and cancer with long-term exposure to air pollution.

Whether exposure to wildfire smoke carries the same risks is uncertain, and determining harm from smog versus wildfire smoke can be tricky, especially with wind-swept California wildfires spreading thick smoke hundreds of miles away into smoggy big cities.

San Francisco - 15 November 2018

1.Two men sit in foreground, barely visible Golden Gate Bridge in background

2. Dogwalker wears masks while six dogs on leashes follow along the beach

3. View of Golden Gate Bridge from smoky Crissy Field

4. Woman wearing mask holds small dog with bridge in background

5. Walking shot of man with dog on Crissy Field beach

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Chloe Allegret, San Francisco resident:

"It's pretty uncomfortable. It's definitely causing shortness of breath, pressure in the sinuses so we're taking it easy."

7. Food delivery workers loading up van while wearing masks

8. Postal worker delivers mail while wearing mask

9. UPS driver wears mask while making delivery

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Daniel Horn, San Francisco resident:

"It just feels very smoky and full of particulates. I'm definitely worried about my son who's breathing this stuff. We've got air filters at home and we're running them at full speed but I'm not sure it's enough to get rid of all the toxic particulates so I'm definitely worried about the health of my family and the city in general."

11. Man walks along city's Embarcadero wearing mask

12. Embarcadero cleaning crew rides by on bicycle while wearing mask

13. Two women sit on park bench wearing masks

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Kylie Garcia, San Francisco resident:

"It sucks for people who are allergic to this stuff. Even me, I'm walking out here and my god, now my throat is feeling raspy. I walk here everyday on my work lunch break. It's crazy. I can't believe it. It's really sad and hopefully they'll be able to stop it. We'll see how long it goes."

15. Fire boat floating on Bay in foreground, Bay Bridge in smog in background

SHOTLIST:

1. Mid of women with masks on sifting through ashes of debris of burnt home, pull out

2. Wide of people sifting through debris with masks on

3. Close-up of women with masks on

4. Close-up of debris being sifted

5. Mid of two women walking through fire damaged neighbourhood with masks on

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christina Durvis, San Diego resident:

"This is the first time we have really looked up close, so I can't really process how I feel about the smoke, because of the visual images. But it smells horrible and I can feel it in my lungs even with my mask."

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Laurie Norcross, San Diego resident:

"It's bad, it's bad, but it seems like it's not getting much better at this point. It still feels pretty consistent, it's hard to take a deep breath."

8. Mid of doctor showing how smoke affects your lungs

9. Various shots of hospital

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dr Timothy Morris, Service chief for pulmonary medicine at UCSD Medical Centre:

"It can make you a little short of breath. It can make you start to cough or even make you start to wheeze. Now for a normal healthy person, that is usually a minor nuisance. For somebody who has a pre-existing lung condition, it can actually be quite dangerous."

11. Mid of men going through debris with masks on

12. Various of men working with masks on sifting through debris of burnt house

STORYLINE:

As the wildfires in the US state of California die down and residents return home, lingering dust and soot-laden air are making it difficult for many to breathe even a sigh of relief.

Air quality remained poor in the central San Bernardino Mountains and parts of the San Bernardino Valley as well as swaths of Orange and Riverside Counties.

In San Diego County, where only one of four major fires was more than 50 percent contained, the air quality was especially bad on Friday.

"It's bad, it's bad," said Laurie Norcross, who was helping to sift through the debris at a friend's burnt out home. "It seems like it's not getting much better at this point, it feels pretty consistent, it's hard to take a deep breath."

Satellite pictures continued to show a thick haze of smoke hanging over the entire region, affecting schools, events and the health of residents all over Southern California.

Residents staying in areas with bad air were advised to avoid exerting themselves both indoors and outside.

Children and those with heart and respiratory conditions were urged to stay indoors with the windows and doors closed and air conditioners on.

One of the biggest health threats with fires are the fine particles that are not visible to the naked eye.

These particles can get into the lungs and make breathing an even greater struggle for people with asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.

Miles from any of the fires, smoke and dust from surrounding areas continued to hang like a heavy fog over the port city of Long Beach, making the sun appear a deep orange.

In San Diego, where fires still raged, the University of California San Diego Medical Centre saw an increase in patients coming in with breathing troubles they believe were related to air pollution, but they didn't have statistics available, said spokeswoman Jackie Carr.

"It can make you a little short of breath," said Dr Timothy Morris, the service chief for pulmonary medicine at UCSD Medical Centre.

"For a normal healthy person, that is usually a minor nuisance, for someone who has a pre-existing lung condition, it can actually be quite dangerous," he added.

SHOTLIST:

Lake City, Florida

1. Wide shot of trees on fire

2. Firefighter moving burnt branches, as surrounding area smoulders

3. Pan across bush area to firefighters hosing burnt area with water

4. Firefighter in foreground as bush burns

5. Bush burning

6. Helicopter carrying water flying

7. Firefighters lined up on side of road

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Richard Dolan, Baker County Fire Chief:

"As far as the stress levels for my fire department is concerned, it's high. They're getting exhausted. They're getting tired."

9. Various of smoke and the city streets

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ken Disbrow, evacuee:

"Everything I own is there, so I've got a lot to lose."

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Vox Pop, evacuee:

"We live 18 miles (29 kilometres) out on a farm. So we had to leave the animals."

12. Wide shot of firetrucks in midst of smoke-filled air

13. Smoke covering city

Miami, Florida

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dr. Tahir Ahmed, Pulmanologist, Mt. Sinai Hospital:

"The dust causes problems, you do get a lot of calls and patients with severe diseases end up in emergency rooms."

Lake City, Florida

15. Police cars on road obscured by smoke

16. Cars driving through thick smoke

17. Sign saying road 441 closed (due to accident)

18. Emergency services on road

19. SOUNDBITE: (English) Colonel Chris White, Florida Highway Patrol:

"We have had several traffic crashes, traffic accidents that have involved injuries."

20. Various of burned-out remains of a home

21. Burnt trees

Lake City, Florida

22. Plane dropping anti-fire material onto forest

23 View of city and smoke

Catalina Island, California

24. Wideshot of town of Avalon showing harbour

25. Avalon houses overlooking harbour

26. Medium shot of ferry arriving

27. Wideshot of ferry docking

28. Close-up of ferry

29. Wide shot of passengers disembarking

30. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bruce Wright, resident

"I haven't slept in a couple of days. I'm a little worried. I'm one of the highest buildings on the hill so if the fire got anybody it got me pretty good, so I'm a little worried."

31. Close up of sign (English): 'Thank you firefighters'.

32. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bruce Wright, resident:

"I've just, thank God they (firefighters) were here, an amazing group of people. I think they saved the city because when I left Thursday night the flames were rolling down the hillside as fast as could be. It was extremely scary."

33. Wide shot of residents leaving ferry returning to Avalon.

STORYLINE:

Wildfires were raging in Florida in the United States on Saturday, burning thousands of acres of forest and forcing people to leave their homes.

Firefighters have been battling two gigantic fires.

Officials said that the first wildfire, that raced through the Okefenokee Swamp in southeast Georgia and into northern Florida, has charred nearly 300 square miles since a lightning strike ignited it a week ago.

The other fire began more than three weeks ago after a tree fell on power lines.

That fire has burned nearly 124-thousand acres of swampland and forest in Georgia and windy conditions are fuelling blazes in every corner of the state.

The hundreds of firefighters battling the blaze in Northern Florida have battled the blaze for six days and the fire is still out of control.

Richard Dolan, Baker County Fire Chief said his fire department is very stressed and exhausted.

About 500 people were evacuated from their homes in Lake City Saturday.

"Everything I own is there so I've got a lot to lose." said Ken Disbrow one evacuee.

Firefighters say it seems like every time they extinguish one fire, another one pops up in its place.

Hampering the crews is thick smog, which is forming as smoke meets rising humidity levels, and is causing concerns over people's ability to breathe.

Officials said the smog is enveloping roads and making safe driving difficult, forcing officials to shut down parts of major interstates.

Officials are blaming smoke from wildfires for at least four highway accidents.

The largest accident appeared to be a five-car crash that occurred on the interchange between the two highways that is northwest of Lake City.

Haze from the fires had travelled more than 300 miles (482 kilometres) to the Miami area.

Officials said the fire has burned to within about six miles (almost 10 kilometres) north of Interstate 10, where heavy smoke blanketed the area and visibility on the highway was reduced to about a quarter of mile.

In north Florida, about 600 families were still unable to return home Saturday morning, said Jim Harrell, of the Florida Division of Forestry.

Meanwhile residents of an island off the southern California coast in the US have begun returning to their homes after firefighters and favourable weather halted a wildfire's advance onto the island's most populated area.

Nearly four thousand evacuated residents in Avalon on Catalina Island began heading back to inspect their homes and apartments and reopen businesses that largely cater to tourists.

Ferry's arrived from Long Beach with weary residents, some who had hardly slept in days, anxious to see that all is well.

Avalon resident Bruce Wright who returned by ferry to Catalina on Saturday said he hadn't "slept in a couple of days" and that he was worried about his home, which is on one of the highest buildings on the hill.

Wright described Thursday's evacuation as "extremely scary".

The cause of the fire, which erupted on Thursday afternoon in the 76-square-mile island's rugged interior, had not yet been determined.

Keyword-fire- wildfires

SHOTLIST:

La Canada Flintridge

1. Mid of fire fighters battling blaze near house

2. Pan from flames to fire fighters battling flames with water hose

3. Close of fire fighter using water hose

4. Close of flames

5. Wide of house, pan to fire fighter battling blaze

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) David Jensen, home owner:

"I used to live on the other side of the town and I had a fire come close, but never this close. This, they said, is going to burn right to the wall of our house and they're going to hit it right at the last minute."

7. Various of blaze

8. Rear shot of fire fighters looking at flames

9. Various of fire fighters meeting

10. Pan of fire fighter looking at smoke, talking to colleagues

11. Rear shot of fire fighter looking at smoke

12. Wide of smoke near house

13. Wide of fire engine

14. Fire fighter talking to residents

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) David Endaya, Fire Captain, Ventura City Fire Department:

"I reported to duty yesterday morning in the city of Ventura at 7 a.m. (14:00 GMT), and now it's coming up on nine, ten o'clock (16:00/17:00 GMT) the next morning so we've been on since yesterday at 7 a.m. (14:00 GMT)."

(Question: Anything else you'd like to add?)

"No, we're just glad to be here. We realise a person's home is their life and with lives and property to protect and we're glad to come out here and help when these large incidents occur."

La Crescenta

16. Pan of children and local residents inside Red Cross shelter

17. Mid of women inside shelter

18. SOUNDBITE: (English) Susan D'Amaro, resident:

"The fire was out of control, they were worried about where it was going to go, it was a little bit unpredictable so they wanted to clear everyone out of the area."

19. Mid of people inside shelter

STORYLINE:

Wildfire threatened 12-thousand suburban homes and rained ash on cars as far away as downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, spreading in all directions in hot, dry conditions.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urged those in the fire's path to listen to authorities and get out.

Firefighters trained their attention on the blaze's fast-moving northern front as more evacuations were ordered in the Los Angeles suburbs.

A massive plume of smoke could be seen for miles and bits of ash descended on cars as far away as downtown Los Angeles.

For the third straight day, humidity was very low and temperatures were expected in the high 90s (high 30s Celsius).

Some two-thousand firefighters were battling the blaze.

The regional air quality agency issued a smoke advisory, warning all residents who live near the wildfire to remain indoors and avoid strenuous activity.

Officials said air quality in the foothill communities around La Canada Flintridge was unhealthy, bordering on hazardous.

People with heart or lung conditions, including asthma, were asked to consider leaving the area.

In La Canada Flintridge, fire fighters were battling the blaze raging near homes.

Local resident David Jensen, whose house was dangerously close to the flames, said he had never experienced a fire coming so close to the perimeter of his property.

In the community of La Crescenta, were a mandatory evacuation was in place, residents took refuge in a temporary shelter, set up by the Red Cross.

"The fire was out of control, they were worried about where it was going to go, it was a little bit unpredictable so they wanted to clear everyone out of the area," one woman said.

The blaze was only about five percent contained on Sunday and had scorched 55 square miles (142 square kilometres) in the Angeles National Forest.

Firefighters were hoping to keep the blaze from spreading up Mount Wilson, where many of the region's broadcast and communications antennas and a historic observatory are located.

Flames were within two miles (about three kilometres) of the towers on Sunday, fire officials said.

The fire had travelled six to eight miles (10 to 13 kilometres) overnight, burning as actively during the night as it did during the day, said a Forest Service Captain.

The fire, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon, was the largest and most dangerous of several burning around southern and central California and in Yosemite National Park.