Officials: San Diego Fires Making Air Quality in Temecula Valley, Lake Elsinore Unsafe

The South Coast Air Quality Management District is warning residents in the Temecula Valley and Lake Elsinore areas that fires south of here have created unhealthful conditions, especially for people medically compromised.

District officials issued these warnings:

• Everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion
• People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors
• Keep windows and doors closed or seek alternate shelter
• Run your air conditioner if you have one
• Keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside
• To avoid worsening the health effects of wildfire smoke, don’t use indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces

“Some elevated particulate concentrations are occurring as well as smoke odors,” says an alert from the SCAQMD. “Smoke dispersion is expected to improve as the onshore breezes return and vertical mixing increases by early afternoon. However, smoke that has accumulated offshore may also move inland with the sea breeze today.”

Warnings were also issued for parts of Los Angeles and Orange counties.

In Orange County, the specific areas affected are the Capistrano Valley, Saddleback Valley, the entire coastline and north Orange County.

In Los Angeles, residents along the entire coastline, Central Los Angeles County, Southeast Los Angeles and the South San Gabriel Valley could be impacted.