Stay in Dangerous air quality in the Los Angeles area due to several forest fires

Several forest fires in Southern California devastated thousands of acres on Friday due to strong winds and red flags, resulting in poor air quality in the region.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a smoke notice that will remain in effect until Saturday morning.

On Friday afternoon, the air quality from Malibu Creek National Park in Santa Monica to Pasadena was described as unhealthy.

"The AQMD monitor on the south coast of Reseda is also showing high PM2.5 levels, which is currently leading to an unhealthy IAQ," states a press release.

Smoke from the Saddleridge fire carries significant health risks

As the meteorologist Anthony Yanez explains, PM2.5 levels are dangerous, even for people with good health, but especially for people with asthma or heart disease. Many particles are invisible and fit into your lungs.

The wind speed is expected to start at 30 mph on Friday morning and gradually decrease to 20 mph.

Many schools in Los Angeles and Ventura have closed due to poor air quality, including LAUSD schools. Due to poor air quality, the local districts northwest and northeast of LAUSD were released early. All sports and extracurricular activities are canceled. However, the school staff remain on campus until parents can pick up all the students.

Courses at various universities such as Pepperdine and California State University Northridge have also been discontinued to keep the air quality from being healthy.

Although the schools in the Burbank Unified School District are still open, they have canceled outdoor activities such as sports.

In Malibu, the city offered the residents of City Hall and Bluffs Park free breathing masks.

Helicopter fires protect homes

consultation

• If you see ashes or smoke, stay inside. Close windows and doors.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity.
• Operate your air conditioner, but clean the filter to avoid adding smoke to the interior.
• Avoid using a full house fan or sump cooler with outside air inlet.
• Avoid the use of indoor or outdoor wood tools, eg. Fireplaces and candles.
• Do not rely on dust masks for your protection. According to AQMD, paper dust masks can "block large particles but protect their lungs from small particles that are often found in the smoke of a forest fire." right and have a perfect fit. " More tips on masks can be found here.
• PETA also reminded the residents to bring their pets indoors.

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AQMD cleaning tips after a forest fire

• If you have heart or lung problems, do not clean the ashes or soot.
• Avoid skin contact with ash.
• Do not use leaf blowers. Use damp cloths and spray lightly with water. Pass the ash-filled water underground and away from the drainage system.
• If you need to clean the ashes in your household, use vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters or, if possible, similar industrial filters with disposable filter bags. Gently sweeping with a broom is another option.
• Take your car to the car wash.
• Wash the toys.
• Clean the ashes of pets.

You can see the rankings current here of air quality.

AFP via Getty Images

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