LOS ANGELES (CNS) — A dust advisory was issued Saturday for much of Southern California effective Sunday, with high winds possibly leading to air quality conditions that are unhealthy for sensitive groups.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District encouraged those in areas of direct impact to limit exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed and avoid vigorous physical activity.
The advisory applies to all those in the South Coast Air Basin, including the non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties and all of Orange County.
The agency also extended a mandatory prohibition on indoor and outdoor wood burning in the same areas through 11:59 p.m. Saturday due to a forecast of high air pollution in the area.
That order does not apply to mountain communities above 3,000 feet or the high desert. Homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households and those without natural gas service also are exempt from the requirement.
The no-burn rule prohibits burning wood as well as manufactured fire logs, such as those made from wax or paper.
Gas and other non-wood burning fireplaces are not restricted, the SCAQMD said.
Fine particles in wood smoke, also known as particulate matter or PM2.5, can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory problems such as asthma.
Residents can receive no-burn day notifications by signing up for Air Alerts via email or text at www.AirAlerts.org.