Smoked Out: Air Pollutants Billow Over SoCal
NASA
Smoke from the rapidly spreading Station Fire is causing very unhealthy air quality in communities near the fire.
The Air Quality Management Board is urging all individuals to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke. This includes areas where residents can see or smell smoke. Unhealthy air quality will occur in areas of direct smoke impact, especially near the fires.
Wildfires generate smoke containing numerous air pollutants including fine particulates known as PM10 and PM2.5.
"Very high concentrations of fine particulates are occurring in areas of direct smoke, especially the foothill communities of Altadena, La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Tujunga, Sunland, Montrose and Acton,'' according to an AQMD statement.
The agency reported that air quality will reach unhealthy levels today in the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Gabriel, Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys.
Everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors.
Keep your windows and doors closed unless it is extremely hot inside. In these cases, seek alternate shelter.
If you have an airconditioner, keep it running. Keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.
The unhealthy air quality is likely to linger for several more days.
