Los Angeles County is the focus of an air quality alert reported at 11:19 a.m. on Monday by the National Weather Service. The alert is in effect until Wednesday Dec. 10, at midnight.
The NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA says to expect, “The South Coast AQMD has issued a mandatory wood-burning ban for residents in the South Coast Air Basin. The No-Burn rule bans burning wood, pellets, and manufactured fire logs in any indoor or outdoor wood-burning device.”
“Particles in smoke can get deep into the lungs and cause health problems (including asthma attacks), increases in emergency room visits, and hospitalizations. No-Burn Days are needed to protect public health when fine particle pollution levels are expected to be high anywhere in the South Coast Air Basin. No-Burn Days are based on fine particle pollution levels that are forecasted for an entire 24-hour period, which may not be reflected in real-time air quality maps,” according to the NWS. “Run your air conditioner and/or an air purifier and avoid using devices that bring in outside air like a swamp cooler or whole house fan if you have other ways to stay cool.”
The full list of affected locations includes:
- Calabasas/Agoura Hills
- Catalina/Santa Barbara Islands
- San Fernando Valley
- Eastern Santa Monica Mountains Recreational area
- Los Angeles County Beaches
- Los Angeles County Inland Coast including Downtown Los Angeles
- San Gabriel Valley
- Malibu
- Palos Verdes Peninsula
- Santa Clarita Valley
- Santa Susana Mountains
- Western Santa Monica Mountains Recreational area
Guidance for air quality alerts: Insights from the NWS
When an air quality alert pops up on the radar, deciphering its implications is crucial. These alerts, issued by the NWS, come with straightforward yet essential guidance to ensure your safety:
Seek shelter indoors when possible:
If possible, remain indoors, especially if you have respiratory issues, other health concerns, or fall within the senior or child demographics.
Trim outdoor activities to essentials:
When you can’t avoid going outdoors, keep outdoor activities to the bare essentials. Reducing your time outdoors is the key.
Cut back on pollution-inducing activities:
Be mindful of activities that increase pollution, like driving cars, operating gas-powered lawnmowers, or using motorized vehicles. Limit their usage during air quality alerts.
A ban on open burning:
Avoid burning debris or any other materials during air quality alerts. This contributes to worsened air quality.
Stay well-informed:
Stay updated by tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio or your preferred weather news outlet. Staying informed helps you make wise choices regarding outdoor activities during air quality alerts.
Prioritize respiratory health:
If you have respiratory issues or health problems, exercise extra caution. These conditions can make you more vulnerable to the adverse effects of poor air quality.
Following the recommendations from the NWS helps bolster your safety during air quality alerts, minimizing your exposure to potentially harmful pollutants. Stay vigilant, stay protected, and make your health the top priority.
For more local weather alerts, visit our Weather Advisory page