| Oct. 27, 2007 As wildfires
continue to burn in the Southland, air quality will remain unhealthful today
and tomorrow in areas directly impacted by smoke.
Areas forecast to have unhealthful air quality today are the central San
Bernardino Mountains, including Lake Arrowhead, and the Saddleback Valley
area in Orange County.
In other areas not directly impacted by smoke in San Bernardino,
Riverside and Orange counties, air quality today and tomorrow is forecast to
be unhealthy for sensitive individuals. Air quality in coastal and valley
areas of Los Angeles County is predicted to be in the moderate range.
In areas where unhealthful air quality is forecast, as well as anywhere
that smoke is seen or smelled or ash is falling:
- everyone should avoid all vigorous exertion, indoors or out;
- residents with heart disease, respiratory diseases including asthma, as
well as the elderly and children should remain indoors;
- keep windows and doors closed unless it is extremely hot inside. In
these cases, seek alternate shelter; and
- turn on an air conditioner if you have one. Keep the fresh air intake
closed and the filter clean to minimize outdoor smoke entering the house.
Air quality officials especially urge schools, day care centers and
sports coaches to not allow children to exercise – whether outdoors or
inside – during unhealthful air quality conditions.
When air quality is forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive groups,
sensitive or susceptible individuals, such as those with heart or lung
disease, should minimize outdoor activity. When air quality is in the
moderate range, unusually sensitive individuals should consider reducing
vigorous outdoor activity.
Wildfire smoke contains numerous pollutants including microscopic
particles known as PM10 and PM2.5. For a printable fact sheet containing
tips to avoid health impacts from the smoke, see
http://www.aqmd.gov/pubinfo/factsheets.htm on AQMD’s website.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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