Santa Maria community affected as poor air quality continues

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - As California fires continue rage out of control smoke continues to linger over the Santa Maria valley and across the Central Coast.

James Speaker is tired of the smoke. "I don’t like it. I hate it. It’s nasty stuff. It makes my eyes itch and my lungs hurt," said Speaker.

Speaker is one of many in Santa Maria who is trying to maintain some kind of exercise routine despite the smoke.

"Oh I mean I wouldn’t want to ride in something like this for too long. And it would eventually have some long-term effects but for the short term I can deal with it for what I need to get in," said cyclist Issaya Finley.

Managers with the Recreation and Parks Department decided to close Los Flores Ranch Park due to the smoke.

"That Park is almost 1,800 acres ... it’s got miles and miles of trails and what we don’t want is for people to get out there not be able to breathe. We really are trying to take care of our residence," said Dennis Smitherman with the Recreation and Parks Department.

If the smoke continues to Smitherman says Los Flores Ranch Park will remain closed through the weekend.

"Our community parks are still open. We know that people go out and use those for exercise. We encourage masks while they’re out in public and social distancing, and just really make sure that they know their body and know if the smoke is affecting them," said Smitherman.

Until the smoke clears, Speaker says he’s still going for his daily walks but doesn’t plan to over do it. "Just trying to stay indoors as much as possible and taking a couple walks and that’s it."