Skies again turn orange in central California as wildfire smoke returns

Pockets of unhealthy air quality were measured in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys as smoke from wildfires still burning in the Sierras blew north into the region.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- It was another eerie red sunrise across central California's Sacramento, and San Joaquin Valleys as smoke from wildfires still burning in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains blew north.

Unhealthy air quality levels were measured across much of the valleys, including Fresno, with a pocket of very unhealthy air quality around Visalia and Porterville, near where the KNP Complex Fire and Windy Fires continue to rage.

Poor air quality is expected to remain around Modesto and Sacramento through Monday, though it should remain below hazardous levels.

This smoke event will be short-lived as a trough of low pressure heading into the Pacific Coast will help sweep the smoke away on Tuesday, improving air quality in the valley.

The KNP Complex Fire remains about 11% contained as it has burned nearly 68,000 acres. The nearby Windy Fire has burned almost 95,000 acres stretched along a fire line 200 miles in length and is about 68% contained.

Cooler weather is heading into the region for this week though breezes will kick up as well.

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