Smoke advisory extended across Southern California

Unhealthy conditions from the wildfire ash blanketing Southern California have extended a smoke advisory in the region until at least Sunday.

As massive wildfires – including the Bobcat fire near the San Gabriel Valley and the El Dorado fire in the Inland Empire – continue to burn, residents across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties were advised to continue to limit outdoor activities, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Early Saturday morning, the local Air Quality Management District forecast called for moderate air quality in Orange County and coastal Los Angeles county, with moderate to unhealthy air quality for inland portions of Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire.

But by mid-afternoon, the updated air quality estimates showed unhealthy or very unhealthy air quality across Los Angeles County, portions of the Inland Empire and the northern portions of Orange County.

The smoke advisory has been in effect since Thursday, and has been extended multiple times. It comes in the midst of an unprecedented fire season that has seen five of the largest wildfires in California history.

Much of the smoke has come from fires in Northern California and Oregon, experts say, pushed southward by a large high-pressure system off the coast then trapped by the local marine layer. The bulk of the ash that has fallen across the region has come from the Bobcat fire.

Residents in the areas impacted by the air quality warning are urged to stay indoors, particularly those with health conditions. When going outside, experts say masks can help with some of the smoke particles.

Source: Orange County Register