With winds carrying smoke and ash far beyond the wildfires raging in parts of Southern California, the region's air pollution watchdog is warning vulnerable residents to stay indoors.
"Everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion," in any area directly impacted by the smoke, according to a smoke advisory issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children are especially at risk and should remain indoors with the windows and doors closed, according to the advisory.
- California Wildfires: Maps, Galleries, Video Updates
The advisory includes the coastal area stretching from north of Malibu to Long Beach and much of Los Angeles south of the 101 and 134 Freeways, including the westside, and central and south LA, as well as all of Orange County. Lake Elsinore and Temecula Valley were affected as well.
People living or working in central and southeast LA who may be sensitive to the smoke were also urged to stay indoors.
"Schools that have children with sensitive conditions, including heart disease, asthma, other chronic respiratory diseases, should not participate in PE or outdoor physical activity and should stay indoors as much as possible," according to an air quality advisory from the Los Angeles County of Public Health.
- Running Dry: Timeline, Drought Maps, Images
All Los Angeles Unified School District athletic programs were on hold Friday due to the air quality warning.
News
Top news of the day
"We want to be safe to be safe and make sure our kids are safe at all times," Reseda High School Assistant Principal Robert Clarke said.
About 100 student athletes at Reseda High School were affected by the atheletic progam hold Friday.
"Even if you cant see it, you can see it in the kids faces," Reseda High School Athletic Director Fernando Fernandez said. "Most kids wont tell you, 'Coach I'm dying, I cant take this anymore.' We take them indoors, we go into the weight room, we go into different places."
Residents with air conditioners were told to keep the fresh air intake closed an the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.
Ten major wildfires were burning throughout Southern California Friday, many of which being fought in San Diego County. The governer's office added 300 seasonal firefighters to combat the blazes as part of a Drought State of Emergency declaration.
Lolita Lopez and Samia Khan contributed to this report.
