There are a number of fires burning in Southern California and there are some steps you may wish to take to remain safe. The air quality index from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has noted that members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. SCAQMD has issued a smoke advisory (see below) with resources to assist you.
If you have health issues or live or are working in an area where the smoke is particularly bad, the state of Californina Health and Human Service Agency has issued this memo to advise you regarding the use of Particulate Respirators to Protect from Wildfire Smoke or Ash.
SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
SMOKE ADVISORY
Issued Tuesday, December 05, 2017
This advisory is in effect through Wednesday morning. SCAQMD will issue an update if additional information becomes available.
A brush fire, named the Creek Fire, is burning in Los Angeles County near Lake View Terrace and Sylmar. The burn area is reported to be approximately 2500 acres with zero percent containment reported. Strong east northeast winds are expected to continue through Wednesday evening bringing smoke into the western portion of Los Angeles County. Air quality may reach Unhealthy levels or higher in areas directly impacted by smoke.
Areas of direct smoke impacts and Unhealthful air quality include portions of:
- West San Fernando Valley (Forecast Area 6),
- San Fernando Valley (Forecast Area 7), and
- Los Angeles County Coastal (Forecast Area 2).
In any area impacted by smoke: Everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, pregnant women, 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.
SCAQMD Advisory updates can be found at the following link: ftp://ftp.aqmd.gov/pub/globalist/Advisory.pdf
To subscribe to air quality alerts, advisories and forecasts by email, go to http://AirAlerts.org
To view current air quality conditions by region in an interactive map, see
http://www3.aqmd.gov/webappl/gisaqi2/home.aspx
For more tips on avoiding health impacts from smoke, see SCAQMD Fire Safety Alert Factsheets at
http://www.aqmd.gov/home/library/public-information/publications#factsheet
For a map of SCAQMD Forecast Areas, see
http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/default-document-library/map-of-monitoring-areas.pdf
Current SCAQMD Air Quality Measurements, Forecasts and Advisories can be obtained on the web at http://www.aqmd.gov/home/library/air-quality-data-studies, or by Telephone at 1-800-CUT-SMOG (1-800-288-7664).
