Air quality and health officials issued smoke advisories Saturday for the San Fernando Valley due to the Sylmar wildfire, as well as areas near Corona, Brea and Yorba Linda due to blazes affecting those areas.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a statement urging everyone "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."
Air quality may reach "unhealthy" levels in areas directly impacted by smoke, including the San Fernando Valley, portions of the San Gabriel Mountains near the fire, and the northwest Los Angeles County coastal area, according to the AQMD.
Due to additional wildfires in Riverside and Orange counties, air quality will reach "unhealthy" levels in the smoke-impacted areas of Corona and Norco; portions of Orange County and southern coastal areas of Los Angeles County, the AQMD advised.
Surrounding areas of Los Angeles and Orange counties may reach the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" level or higher, depending on fire conditions and wind flows, the air quality agency reported.
Dr. Jonathan Fielding, Los Angeles County's director of public health, said sensitive individuals, such as those with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory illnesses, should be especially cautious, even in areas where smoke, soot or ash cannot be seen or there is no odor of smoke.
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"It is difficult to tell where ash or soot from a wildfire will go, or how winds will affect the level of dust particles in the air, so we ask all individuals to be aware of their immediate environment and how it might affect their health," Fielding said.
In areas directly impacted by smoke, the AQMD says:
- Avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion.
- People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors.
- Keep windows and doors closed and run air conditioners if possible, and keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.
- Consider seeking alternate shelter at an air-conditioned public place, such as a library or shopping mall.
- If driving a vehicle through smoky areas, keep the windows and air vents closed, and operate the air conditioning only in the "recirculate" setting.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health stressed that individuals should contact a doctor or go to an urgent care center if they have symptoms of lung or heart disease that may be related to smoke exposure, including severe coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea or unusual fatigue or
light-headedness.
When smoke is heavy for a prolonged period of time, fine particles can build up indoors, even though you may not be able to see them, public health officials said. Wearing a mask may prevent exposure to large particles, but most masks do not prevent exposure to fine particles and toxic gases.
The American Lung Association operates a free HelpLine service. The public can call 1-800-586-4872 to speak with registered nurses and respiratory therapists.
