Air quality alert issued for Los Angeles County until early Friday

Los Angeles County is under an air quality alert which was reported by the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. The alert is in effect until Friday Jan. 23, at midnight.

The NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA says to expect, “The South Coast AQMD has issued a mandatory wood-burning ban for residents in the South Coast Air Basin. The No-Burn rule bans burning wood, pellets, and manufactured fire logs in any indoor or outdoor wood-burning device.”

“Particles in smoke can get deep into the lungs and cause health problems (including asthma attacks), increases in emergency room visits, and hospitalizations. No-Burn Days are needed to protect public health when fine particle pollution levels are expected to be high anywhere in the South Coast Air Basin. No-Burn Days are based on fine particle pollution levels that are forecasted for an entire 24-hour period, which may not be reflected in real-time air quality maps,” the NWS said. “Run your air conditioner and/or an air purifier and avoid using devices that bring in outside air like a swamp cooler or whole house fan if you have other ways to stay cool.”

The full list of affected locations includes:

• Calabasas/Agoura Hills
• Catalina/Santa Barbara Islands
• San Fernando Valley
• Eastern Santa Monica Mountains Recreational area
• Los Angeles County Beaches
• Los Angeles County Inland Coast including Downtown Los Angeles
• San Gabriel Valley
• Malibu
• Palos Verdes Peninsula
• Santa Clarita Valley
• Santa Susana Mountains
• Western Santa Monica Mountains Recreational area

Guidance for air quality alerts: Insights from the NWS

When an air quality alert is in effect, following the NWS guidance is pivotal. Here are some simple tips from the NWS for safeguarding your well-being:

Prioritize indoor stay:

Whenever possible, seek refuge indoors, especially if you grapple with respiratory concerns, health issues, or belong to the senior or child demographic

Minimize outdoor ventures:

When venturing outside is unavoidable, restrict your time outdoors solely to essential activities. Reducing exposure is paramount.

Mitigate pollution sources:

Be conscious of activities that contribute to pollution, such as driving cars, using gas-powered lawnmowers, or relying on motorized vehicles. Curtail their use during air quality alerts.

Banish open burning:

Avoid burning debris or any other materials during air quality alerts. This contributes to worsened air quality.

Stay well-informed:

Stay updated of developments by tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio or your preferred weather news source. Being well-informed empowers you to make informed decisions regarding outdoor pursuits during air quality alerts.

Prioritize respiratory health:

If you have respiratory problems or underlying health conditions, exercise extra caution. These conditions can increase your vulnerability to adverse effects from poor air quality.

By adhering to the advice from the NWS, you can enhance your safety during air quality alerts while reducing your exposure to potentially harmful pollutants. Stay aware, stay protected, and make your health a top priority.

For more local weather alerts, visit our Weather Advisory page