Air Quality Extremely Unhealthful in LA Basin

SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

SMOKE ADVISORY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2009

Smoke from the Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest continues to cause poor air quality in portions of the San Gabriel Mountains (Area 15) and the West San Gabriel Valley (Area 8). High concentrations of fine particulates are occurring in areas of direct smoke impacts near the fire, especially the foothill communities of Tujunga, La Canada,Flintridge, La Crescenta, Sunland, Montrose, Altadena and Acton. The Oak Glen and Pendleton Fires near Yucaipa have also caused areas of poor air quality. Everyone should avoid physical activity in any area heavily impacted by smoke.

While conditions have improved, smoke has settled into the valleys of Los Angeles County overnight near the fires, as well as in the eastern San Bernardino Valley. Onshore ocean breezes by the afternoon are expected to move smoke into the mountains and inland valleys. Prior to the onshore flow clearing the western Basin, smoke will linger in areas of Los Angeles County and in the eastern San Bernardino Valley near the fires.

Air quality will reach Unhealthy levels, or higher, in smoke impacted areas,especially near the fires.These areas will likely include:

• the San Gabriel Mountains (Area 15);
• the West San Gabriel Valley (Area 8);
• the West San Bernardino Mountains (Area 36);
• the Santa Clarita Valley (Area 13);
• the East San Fernando Valley (Area 7);
• the East San Gabriel Valley (Area 9);
• East San Bernardino Valley (Area 35);
• East San Bernardino Mountains (Area 38);
• Banning/San Gorgonio Pass (Area 29).

In any area impacted by smoke: Everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children
should remain indoors. Keep windows and doors closed or seek alternate shelter. Run your air conditioner if you have one. Keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean
to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.

To view current air quality conditions by region in an interactive map, see http://www2.aqmd.gov/webappl/gisaqi2/VEMap3D.aspx .

For more tips on avoiding health impacts from smoke, see http://www.aqmd.gov/ej/CAC/wildfire_safety_tips.htm on AQMD’s website.