| Aug. 17, 2007 Smoke from
the Zaca wildfire burning in Santa Barbara County may cause short-term
concentrations of fine particulates to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive
Groups level or higher today and through the weekend in northwest Los
Angeles County, west San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and the San
Gabriel Mountain areas.
All individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary
outdoor activities in the smoke-impacted areas.
Wildfires generate smoke containing fine particulates known as PM10 and
PM2.5.
In areas with unhealthy air quality, everyone should discontinue
prolonged, vigorous outdoor exercise lasting longer than one hour. Examples
of the kinds of outdoor activities that should be avoided are calisthenics,
basketball, running, soccer, football, tennis, swimming laps, and water
polo. Susceptible persons, such as those with heart or lung disease, should
avoid outdoor activity entirely.
For more tips on avoiding 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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