Los Angeles County is the focus of an air quality alert reported at 11:33 a.m. on Sunday by the National Weather Service. The alert is in effect until Tuesday Dec. 16, at midnight.
The NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA adds to be ready for, “The South Coast AQMD has extended 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 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 it’s within your means, stay indoors, especially if you have respiratory issues, health concerns, or fall within the senior or child demographics.
Minimize outdoor ventures:
When venturing outside becomes unavoidable, limit your outdoor exposure strictly to essential tasks. Reducing your time outdoors is the name of the game.
Reduce pollution contributors:
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:
Resist the urge to burn debris or any other materials during an air quality alert. This practice only adds to the air pollution problem.
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.
Prioritize respiratory health:
If you grapple with respiratory issues or underlying health problems, exercise added caution. These conditions can render you more susceptible to the adverse effects of compromised 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