Shelter-in-Place Order Issued in Yreka Due to Airborne Cement Particles

Yreka, California, A brief shelter-in-place order was issued for parts of Yreka Tuesday morning after an airborne hazard, believed to be cement particles, was detected in the area.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) issued the order around 8:30 a.m. for multiple evacuation zones surrounding the city, warning residents to remain indoors, shut windows and doors, and turn off air conditioning units to prevent exposure.

The shelter-in-place directive remained in effect for less than an hour. By 9:15 a.m., authorities had lifted the order and returned all zones to normal status.

The Siskiyou Office of Emergency Services confirmed that the source of the airborne particles is still under investigation.

No injuries or medical incidents have been reported in connection with the event.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office and Office of Emergency Services, released the following update:

Shortly after 7:00 AM this morning, a large dust-like cloud was observed near Yreka. In response, a shelter-in-place advisory was promptly issued for portions of Yreka and the surrounding area due to an airborne hazard caused by the release of cement particles from an industrial facility.

Out of an abundance of caution, emergency officials acted quickly to advise residents to remain indoors with windows and doors closed and to limit outdoor activity while response tears assessed the situation The incident was the result of equipment malfunction at a local cement processing facility, which caused a significant release of airborne particulate matter into the surrounding area, creating a dust-like cloud that hovered within the city limits. The equipment has since been repaired, and there is no longer a threat to the community.

The safety and well-being of our community is our highest priority. Local and county agencies have been working in close coordination to monitor air quality, assess public health risks, and ensure a timely and thorough response.

We understand that advisories like this can be alarming, and we want to assure the public that emergency personnel and environmental health teams are actively managing the situation. Currently, there is no indication of long-term health impacts.

In the event of a poor air quality advisory, including wildfire smoke or industrial incidents:

Stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed

Do not use air conditioning

Avoid strenuous outdoor activity

If you must go outside, consider wearing a properly fitted N95 mask

Keep car vents closed and set to recirculate air

Stay informed through official channels for updates and instructions

Please follow official channels from the Siskiyou County Office of Emergency Services, Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Yreka for the most accurate and timely information.