SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT SMOKE ADVISORY

By Pasadena Independent

Published: Sunday, August 30th, 2009

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2009
Smoke from the rapidly spreading Station Fire near La Canada has caused
Hazardous air quality in the San Gabriel Mountains (Area 15) and the West San
Gabriel Valley (Area 8). Air Quality has reached Hazardous levels in areas of
direct smoke impacts near the fire, especially the foothill communities of
Altadena, La Canada, Flintridge, La Crescenta, Tujunga, and Sunland. Physical
activity should be avoided in these areas.
The Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest near La Canada has grown considerably
and the Cottonwood Fire continues in the San Bernardino National Forest near Hemet.
Smoke has settled into the valleys of Los Angeles County overnight near the fires and in
the Hemet/San Jacinto area causing air quality to reach Very Unhealthy
concentrations. Onshore ocean breezes during the afternoon are expected to move
smoke into the mountains and smoke impacts in Los Angeles County and the Hemet
area will continue. Prior to the onshore flow clearing the western Basin, smoke will
linger in much of Los Angeles County.

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 (Area 15);
• the West San Gabriel Valley (Area 8);
• the West San Bernardino Mountains (Area 36);
• the Santa Clarita Valley (Area 13);
• the San Fernando Valley (Areas 6 and 7);
• Central Los Angeles County (1);
• the East San Gabriel Valley (Area 9);
• the Hemet/San Jacinto Area (Area 28).

In any area 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 windows and doors closed or 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.
To view current air quality conditions by region in an interactive map, see
http://www2.aqmd.gov/webappl/gisaqi2/VEMap3D.aspx .
For more tips on avoiding health impacts from smoke, see
http://www.aqmd.gov/ej/CAC/wildfire_safety_tips.htm on AQMD’s website.

Photos by Terry Miller