| September 2, 2009
Although air quality conditions have improved from earlier this week, smoke
from the Station Fire continues to cause unhealthy air quality in portions
of the West San Gabriel Valley and San Gabriel Mountains. Unhealthy levels
of fine particulates are occurring in areas directly impacted by smoke,
especially in the foothill communities of Altadena, La Canada Flintridge, La
Crescenta, Tujunga, Sunland, Montrose and Acton. The Oak Glen and Pendleton
fires near Yucaipa also have caused areas of poor air quality.
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.
Air quality will reach Unhealthy levels, or
higher, in smoke-impacted areas, especially near the fires. These areas will
likely include:
• the San Gabriel Mountains;
• the West San Gabriel Valley;
• the West San Bernardino Mountains;
• the Santa Clarita Valley;
• the East San Fernando Valley;
• the East San Gabriel Valley;
• the East San Bernardino Valley;
• the East San Bernardino Mountains; and
• the Banning/San Gorgonio Pass.
In areas with Unhealthy air quality and
those directly 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 your windows and doors closed
unless it is extremely hot inside. In these cases, seek alternate shelter.
Run your air conditioner if you have one. Keep the fresh air intake closed
and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.
For regularly updated air quality
information, see the air quality map at
www.aqmd.gov. For more tips on avoiding health impacts from the smoke,
see
http://www.aqmd.gov/ej/CAC/wildfire_safety_tips.htm
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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