Air quality in Southern California has deteriorated to unhealthy levels after wildfires burned thousands of acres during an unprecedented heat wave.
The residents of San Bernardino and Highland suffered the most from the terrible conditions following the Line fire more than 20,000 hectares in flames, sending ash and smoke into the air.
According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the wildfire raised the air quality index to a “hazardous” reading of 339, more than 200 points above the acceptable level.
However, the fires in San Bernardino County and the Roblar Fire near Camp Pendleton forced AQMD to issue a wildfire smoke warning Sunday night for everyone between the Los Angeles County coast and the Coachella Valley after the burned landscape spread pollutants across Southern California.
While not as bad as the surrounding fire area, much of Riverside and San Bernardino counties experienced “very unhealthy” or “unhealthy” levels. According to the AQMD, very unhealthy levels increase the health risk for everyone in the area, while unhealthy levels can cause serious health problems in susceptible groups.
AQMD advises everyone with heart disease, pregnant women, children, the elderly and people with lung diseases, including asthma, to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities.
The Bridge fire In the Angeles National Forest, about 60 miles from the Line Fire, smoke was also sent into the air after it burned 1,255 acres early Monday morning. The Airport Fire in Orange County also worsened air quality near the Santa Ana Mountains as it quickly spread through the area.
According to AQMD, the smoky conditions caused air quality to deteriorate to unhealthy levels in the San Gabriel Valley, parts of Orange County and the Gateway Cities, including Downey, La Mirada, Pico Rivera and other nearby neighborhoods.
Visit AQMD’s interactive map for the latest air quality updates.
