The South Coast Air Quality Management District warned Thursday that air quality in the Los Angeles area remained “unhealthy” as a result of the multiple wildfires ravaging the region, and the agency has extended a smoke advisory at least through 5 p.m. Friday.
The smoke was expected to most heavily affect northwest coastal L.A. County, and in areas nearest the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst wildfires, the agency reported.
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Smoke impacts will depend on fire activity, containment efforts and the weather, according to the AQMD.
Wildfire smoke is a mixture of small particles, gases and water vapor — with the small particles being the primary health concern, the AQMD reported. Those particles can cause burning eyes, a runny nose, scratchy throat, headaches and/or illnesses such as bronchitis.
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As of 4:30 p.m. Thursday, the worst areas measured by the AQMD for air quality — where the air is deemed hazardous — were Malibu and Catalina Island, the latter presumably because Santa Ana winds are pushing the smoke and ash into the air over the ocean.
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Areas where the air quality is unhealthy, according to AQMD, include much of Los Angeles, and all of Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena. The air quality has also dipped into the unhealthy category in parts of Santa Monica, the Huntington Park and South Gate areas, as well as coastal portions of Long Beach and Huntington Beach.
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The agency noted that people at higher risk — including children, the elderly, those with respiratory or heart conditions and people with compromised immune systems — may experience more severe effects, including difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, fatigue and/or chest pain.
“Predicting where ash or soot from a fire will travel, or how winds will impact air quality, is difficult, so it’s important for everyone to stay aware of the air quality in your area, make plans, and take action to protect your health and your family’s health,” Dr. Muntu Davis, L.A. County’s health officer, said in a statement. “Smoke and ash can harm everyone, even those who are healthy.”
The health department urged people in areas where there is visible smoke or the smell of smoke or unhealthy air quality to avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure and limit physical exertion.
“Children, older adults and people who are pregnant or have other air quality sensitive conditions, such as heart disease, asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases, should follow these recommendations and stay indoors as much as possible even in areas where smoke, soot or ash cannot be seen or there is no smell of smoke,” according to the agency. “If your condition worsens, contact your health care provider immediately for medical advice.”
Pets can also be affected, the agency reported.
For real-time and forecasted air quality information, the AQMD Mobile App can be downloaded at aqmd.gov/mobileapp; information is also available at aqmd.gov/home/air-quality/air-quality-forecasts.