SCAQMD Issues Smoke Advisory/Air Quality Alert for Today

Even though we’re about 40 miles from the Sand Fire near Santa Clarita, local residents are waking up to very smoky skies today.  As of 7:00 this morning, according to local news reports, the fire has burned about 5,500 acres, with 0% containment.

Late last night, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a Smoke Advisory for today, due to the overwhelming amount of smoke in the air throughout Los Angeles.

According to the alert, smoke is moving toward the southeast from Santa Clarita, and falling ash has been reported in the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys. Air quality may reach Unhealthy levels in areas directly affected by smoke, which includes central Los Angeles.

In any area affected by smoke, the SCAQMD recommends that:

• Everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion.
• People with respiratory or heart disease, older adults, and children should remain indoors.
• Keep windows and doors closed or seek alternate shelter.
• Run your air conditioner if you have one and keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.
• Avoid using a swamp cooler or whole-house fan to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.
• To avoid worsening the health effects of smoke, don’t use indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces.

To view current air quality conditions by region in an interactive map, see http://www3.aqmd.gov/webappl/gisaqi2/home.aspx

You can also subscribe to future air quality alerts, advisories and forecasts at http://AirAlerts.org.