Los Angeles County is under an air quality alert which was reported by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 12:22 p.m. The alert is in effect until Monday Dec. 8, at midnight.
The NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA adds 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
Air quality alerts: Recommendations from the NWS
When an air quality alert is in effect, following the NWS guidance is pivotal. Here are some simple tips from the NWS for safeguarding your well-being:
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:
When venturing outside is unavoidable, restrict your time outdoors solely to essential activities. Reducing exposure is paramount.
Reduce pollution contributors:
Exercise prudence when it comes to activities that exacerbate pollution, such as driving cars, wielding gas-powered lawnmowers, or utilizing other motorized vehicles. Minimize their use during air quality alerts.
A ban on open burning:
Refrain from kindling fires with debris or any other materials during an air quality alert. Such practices only contribute to heightened air pollution.
Stay informed:
Stay updated of developments by tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio or your preferred weather news source. Being well-informed empowers you to make informed decisions regarding outdoor pursuits during air quality alerts.
Respiratory health matters:
If you have respiratory problems or underlying health conditions, exercise extra caution. These conditions can increase your vulnerability to adverse effects from 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