...AIR QUALITY ALERT DUE TO HARMFUL FINE PARTICLE POLLUTION LEVELS... * WHAT...The South Coast AQMD has issued an air quality alert due to harmful levels of fine particle pollution. * WHERE...Smoke from Independence Day Fireworks in most of Los Angeles and Orange Counties and the Inland Empire, and wildfire smoke in Santa Clarita and the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains. Levels of particle pollution can vary by time and location depending on emissions and local weather conditions. * WHEN...Smoke from Fireworks from 5 PM July 4th through 11:59 PM July 5th, and wildfire smoke from midnight Thursday to 10 PM Friday. * IMPACTS...Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as heart attacks, bronchitis, asthma attacks, and difficulty breathing. Everyone can be affected, but sensitive groups such as people with lung or heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... To protect your health, check air quality levels and act as needed: * When Air Quality Index (AQI) levels are "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" (orange), sensitive groups as specified above should limit extended or intense outdoor activity. * When AQI is "Unhealthy" (red), everyone may experience health impacts. Sensitive groups should avoid extended time outdoors. * When AQI is "Very Unhealthy" (purple), sensitive groups should avoid all outdoor physical activity. Everyone else should avoid extended or intense outdoor activity. * When AQI is "Hazardous" (maroon), everyone should avoid all outdoor physical activity. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... To help keep indoor air clean when air quality is poor: * Keep windows and doors closed * Run your air conditioner and/or an air purifier * Do not use whole house fans or swamp coolers that bring in outside air if you have other methods to stay cool * Avoid other sources of pollution such as fireplaces, candles, incense, grilling, and gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment In the LA Basin, San Bernardino valley, and San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains, Orange County, and Riverside County, to view current and forecasted air quality levels, visit the South Coast Air Quality Management District website at aqmd.gov or download the mobile app at www.aqmd.gov/mobileapp. Additional details for this air quality alert may be available at www.aqmd.gov/advisory. In Antelope Valley, to view current and forecasted air quality levels, visit the antelope Valley Air Quality Management District website at www.avaqmd.ca.gov. In the Mojave Desert, to view current and forecasted air quality levels, visit the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District website at mdaqmd.ca.gov. Additional details for this air quality alert may be available at www.mdaqmd.ca.gov/advisories.
