Bad air continues to linger in the Valley. Officials say it's the worst string of poor air quality they can recall seeing this time of year. High pollution has been hovering for three weeks, and it's now triggering health problems.
It's hard to miss; the saturation of soot and ash swallowing the Valley.
Albert Ramirez says, "It reminds me of when we had the rim fires. It is hazy."
"It's not pretty. It's not exciting," says Andy Frutchey.
The pollution is lingering low and people are starting to feel the pain.
Dr. A.M. Aminian says, "The volume of the patients that we've been seeing is the highest I've seen for this time of year throughout the years."
Dr. Aminian has been slammed for the last few weeks, treating about 30 percent more patients than normal for this time of year.
"They come with irritated eyes, nasal congestion, asthma attacks and not feeling well because of respiratory problems due to air," says Dr. Aminian.
Even people without respiratory problems are struggling.
Frutchey says, "I do have sinus. I carry a handkerchief around in my pocket, especially now, my eyes are watering all the time."
Dr. Aminian recommends people drink lots of water, limit time outdoors and use nasal rinses. He also says to keep your home at 40 percent humidity.
"Having bowls of water or vases of flowers will do it."
It also helps to limit pollution in the air.
Jaime Holt, Valley Air District, says, "If you can limit your trips, if you can commute less, if you can put off that lawn care."
People are also asked to refrain from wood burning; a rule many don't follow. This year, the air district issued 365 citations across the San Joaquin Valley; that's up from 211 last year.
Officials say if warm temperatures stick around, we could have an early spring with early blooms, and perhaps more allergy and asthma problems.