From www.aqmd.gov:
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a smoke and windblown dust advisory today for portions of western San Bernardino and Riverside counties and eastern Los Angeles County. Air quality may reach the Unhealthy range or higher in these areas due to the Etiwanda Fire. In addition, gusty winds may cause elevated concentrations of fine particulates known as PM10 in affected areas.
Strong Santa Ana winds are predicted to increase this morning and continue through this afternoon, bringing the possibility of increased smoke production from the fire. The winds have caused elevated levels of PM10 in many areas across the region, with the highest concentrations occurring in the Inland Empire.
All individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke. This includes areas where residents can see or smell smoke.
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. Do not use a swamp cooler or whole-house fan to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. To avoid worsening the health effects of wildfire smoke, don’t use indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces.
For anyone not able to avoid a smoky area, a special N95 or P100 respirator mask worn properly may help protect against the fine particles in smoke. Paper or surgical masks do not protect the wearer from smoke. To learn more on how to properly wear a special respirator mask and help protect from wildfire smoke, go to
http://www.arb.ca.gov/videos/impacts_of_smoke.htm and http://www.arb.ca.gov/carpa/toolkit/data-to-mes/wildfire-smoke-guide.pdf.
To subscribe to air quality alerts, advisories and forecasts by e-mail, go to AirAlerts.org.
To view current air quality conditions by region in an interactive map, see http://www3.aqmd.gov/webappl/gisaqi2/home.aspx.
For more tips on avoiding health impacts from smoke, see http://www.aqmd.gov/ej/CAC/wildfire_safety_tips.htm on SCAQMD’s website.
SCAQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.