Air quality warnings have been issued for parts of California by the National Weather Service (NWS), and fire bans are currently in effect.

Why it matters

Air quality alerts are issued when a specific area has high levels of ozone, particulate pollution, and other common air pollutants. High levels of air pollution can have a negative impact on a person’s health, especially if they already suffer from respiratory diseases such as asthma.

What you should know

There are currently three air quality alerts in effect for the entire South Coast Air Basin. Two serve Orange County and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Another applies to Calexico, which is further south on the US-Mexico border.

In addition to the air quality warnings, burn warnings are also active in the same area. These stipulate that the burning of wood, pellets and logs is strictly prohibited in all indoor and outdoor wood burning devices in order to keep pollution levels low.

There are limited exceptions to this rule, including locations above 3,000 feet elevation, the Coachella Valley and the High Desert. Homes that rely solely on burning wood for heating, low-income households and properties without access to natural gas are also exempt.

The use of gas appliances is still permitted as they only produce “very small amounts of fine dust” compared to wood-burning appliances.

Particles in wood smoke – also called particulate matter or PM2.5 – can reach deep into the lungs and cause breathing problems. According to AirNow, PM2.5 levels in affected areas are currently “moderate.” People who may be “unusually sensitive to particulate pollution” are advised to “reduce their activity levels or reduce the amount of time they spend actively outdoors.”

The NWS advises anyone at risk to:

• Stay indoors if possible and keep windows and doors closed
• Avoid intense outdoor activities
• Use an air conditioner or air purification system
• Avoid using devices that draw in outside air, such as: B. a swamp cooler or a whole house fan.

What people say

The National Weather Service: “Particles in smoke can travel deep into the lungs, causing health problems (including asthma attacks) and an increase in emergency room visits and hospitalizations. To protect public health, burn days are required when high levels of particulate matter pollution are expected anywhere in the South Coast Air Basin.”

What’s next?

All three no-burn and air quality warnings remain active until midnight on Friday, December 27th.