South Coast AQMD is conducting expanded air monitoring efforts in response to the debris clean up from the Eaton and Palisades Fires and working closely with federal, state, and local agencies to support emergency response and cleanup operations while assessing potential air quality impacts. Monitoring efforts will take place in two stages:

Stage One: Mobile Air Monitoring
Four mobile monitoring surveys were conducted. Two in the Eaton fire area and two in the Palisades fire area. Mobile surveys measured for toxic metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Mobile monitors provide real-time data to identify potential air pollution hot spots near burn zones. These findings helped guide the placement of stationary monitoring stations.

Stage Two: Stationary Air Monitoring
Based on mobile monitoring results, temporary air monitoring stations have been established considering cleanup activity, sensitive receptors such as schools and residential areas, and meteorological conditions. These stations are collecting data on particulate matter (PM), lead, arsenic, and asbestos.

Current site locations are listed below:
Eaton Burn Area
Site #1: Near Altadena Golf Course
Site #2: Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church
Site #3: Fire Station 11

Palisades Burn Area
Site #1: Near Will Rogers State Beach
Site #2: Fire Station 69

Data for all our monitoring efforts as well as updates on South Coast AQMD’s response efforts can be found at www.aqmd.gov/lawildfires.