According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, much of Los Angeles County will begin experiencing better air quality today. At this time, the County Health Officer is advising sensitive individuals to continue to monitor their conditions and limit outdoor activity.
Schools outside the Santa Clarita Valley and away from areas of visible wildfire smoke can resume outdoor sports and physical activity programs, said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, County Health Officer and Public Health Director. The air quality will continue to be monitored and updates will be issued as conditions improve.
Sensitive individuals including the elderly and those with heart disease or lung disease, including emphysema and asthma, should stay indoors as much as possible. These individuals should monitor their conditions and be vigilant about taking their medicines as prescribed by their healthcare providers. Individuals with asthma and related conditions should keep their as needed medications with them at all times. If symptoms develop, sensitive individuals should contact their healthcare providers. In addition, because the elderly are more susceptible to the effects of smoke, they should be contacted to be sure they are not feeling any ill effects.
Staying indoors can somewhat reduce exposure to smoke, and keeping doors and windows closed while running the air conditioner is a good idea. Residents should check the filters on their air conditioners and replace them regularly. Indoor air filtration devices with HEPA filters can reduce the level of particles that circulate indoors.
For more detailed information about air quality related to the wildfires, visit the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s website at www.aqmd.gov or call 1-800-CUT-SMOG (288-7664).