LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Smoke from the Azusa and Lake Hughes fires caused unhealthy air quality today in the San Gabriel Mountains and in the Santa Clarita, East San Gabriel and Pomona-Walnut valleys, authorities said.
“It is difficult to tell where smoke, ash or soot from a fire will go, or how winds will affect the level of these particles in the air, so we ask everyone to remember that smoke and ash can be harmful to health, even for people who are healthy,'' Dr. Muntu Davis, health officer for Los Angeles County, said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.
“If you can see smoke, soot, or ash, or you can smell smoke, pay attention to your immediate environment and take precautions to safeguard your health,'' Davis said. “These precautions are particularly important for children, older adults, and people with heart or lung diseases.''
Earlier, the South Coast Air Quality Management District had warned of unhealthy air for all individuals in the West San Fernando Valley, East San Fernando Valley, Pomona/Walnut Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and West San Gabriel Valley.
Air quality was forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive individuals in the Antelope Valley, and very unhealthy for everyone in the East San Gabriel Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains.
Davis advised people who live or work in those areas and have heart disease, asthma or other respiratory diseases to minimize outdoor activities.
Children who have sensitive conditions, including heart disease, asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases, should not participate in outdoor physical activity and should stay indoors as much as possible, he said.
For current air quality maps and forecasts, visit the AQMD website at www.aqmd.gov/home/air-quality.
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