It's been a tough summer and fall for local air quality, thanks to lung-choking smoke drifting into the valley from wildfires up and down the state.

Valley air officials are asking Bakersfield-area residents to refrain from adding to the problem by burning their own wood fires in hearth and home.

Reporter Steven Mayer can be reached at 661-395-7353. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter: @semayerTBC.