Latest news with #SouthCoastAQMD
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Air quality alert issued across Southern California due to smoke from fireworks and wildfires
A regional air quality alert was issued for much of Southern California as harmful levels of fine particle pollution spread across the region following Fourth of July fireworks and active wildfires in nearby mountain areas. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) announced the alert on Friday, July 4, warning that elevated pollution levels would persist through Saturday night, July 5, due to smoke from Independence Day celebrations and wildfires in parts of Los Angeles County and beyond. The alert applied to most of Los Angeles and Orange Counties, the Inland Empire, Santa Clarita, and the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains. Officials said pollution levels could vary by time and location depending on emissions and local weather conditions. Smoke from fireworks was expected to affect the region from 5:00 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Saturday. Wildfire smoke in mountain areas was projected to impact air quality from midnight Friday through 10:00 p.m. Saturday. Health officials warned that fine particle pollution can penetrate deep into the lungs and may lead to serious health problems, including asthma attacks, bronchitis, heart attacks, and difficulty breathing. While anyone can be affected, sensitive groups are at higher risk. Residents were urged to monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) and adjust their activities accordingly: When AQI reaches the 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups' (orange) level, vulnerable individuals should limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity. At the 'Unhealthy' (red) level, everyone may experience health effects, and sensitive groups should avoid extended time outdoors. When levels are 'Very Unhealthy' (purple), sensitive groups should avoid all outdoor activity, and others should limit outdoor exposure. At the 'Hazardous' (maroon) level, all individuals are advised to stay indoors and avoid outdoor physical activity entirely. To reduce indoor exposure, officials recommended keeping windows and doors closed, using air conditioners or air purifiers, and avoiding the use of fireplaces, candles, incense, or gasoline-powered equipment. If possible, residents should avoid using swamp coolers or whole house fans that draw in outside air. Residents in the Los Angeles Basin, San Bernardino Valley, San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains, Orange County, and Riverside County can check real-time air quality levels and forecasts by visiting the South Coast AQMD website at or by downloading the mobile app at For those in the Antelope Valley, updates are available at In the Mojave Desert, current conditions and advisories can be found at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Thousands in California Told Not to Barbecue on July 4
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Thousands of Californians planning outdoor July 4 celebrations have been urged to avoid barbecuing because of a regional air quality alert in effect this weekend. The National Weather Service issued an alert for parts of Southern California, warning of "harmful" levels of fine particle pollution across Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Inland Empire. Why It Matters Authorities warn that particle pollution can penetrate deeply into the lungs and may lead to serious health issues, including heart attacks, bronchitis, asthma flare-ups and trouble breathing. While anyone can be affected, the risk is higher for vulnerable groups—such as individuals with heart or lung conditions, older adults, pregnant people, children and those who spend extended time outside. The downtown Los Angeles skyline with the snow-covered San Gabriel Mountains in the background on February 7, 2019. The downtown Los Angeles skyline with the snow-covered San Gabriel Mountains in the background on February 7, 2019. Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images What To Know The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) also issued a particle advisory because of the potential effects of fireworks on air quality. "Fireworks release high levels of particle pollution (PM2.5 and PM10) and air toxic metals, with July 4th and July 5th typically having among the highest particle pollution levels every year in the South Coast Air Basin," it said. "Personal 'backyard' fireworks may lead to localized spikes in particle pollution levels and may spark wildfires, which can be a major source of particle pollution," it added. "The smoke and combustion products from fireworks add to the particles already present in the Basin that are primarily caused by transportation and industrial emissions," the South Coast AQMD continued. Areas affected included major cities, such as Riverside, San Bernardino, Anaheim, Irvine, Santa Monica and Long Beach. South Coast AQMD said that on Friday, light winds combined with heightened emissions from fireworks after dusk were expected to raise pollution levels in the South Coast Air Basin. As a result, the Air Quality Index (AQI) could at times reach the hazardous range in much of Los Angeles and Orange counties as well as the Inland Empire. On Saturday, according to South Coast AQMD, particle pollution levels are expected to stay elevated into the morning, then decline during the day as winds help disperse the pollutants. The AQI may again occasionally reach the hazardous range, with inland areas likely experiencing these high levels for a longer duration than coastal regions. A map issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District highlighting which areas could be affected by the alert. A map issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District highlighting which areas could be affected by the alert. South Coast AQMD Residents in affected areas are advised to take steps to help keep indoor air clean when the outdoor air quality is poor—including keeping windows and doors closed and avoiding other sources of pollution, such as fireplaces, candles, incense, grilling and gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment. The AQI measures air pollution on a scale from 0 to 301 and above. 0–50: Good. Air quality is satisfactory. 51–100: Moderate. Air quality is acceptable, with potential concerns for sensitive individuals. 101–150: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Air quality may affect people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and pregnant individuals. 151–200: Unhealthy. Everyone may begin to experience health effects, and sensitive groups may see more serious effects. Unhealthy. Everyone may begin to experience health effects, and sensitive groups may see more serious effects. 201–300: Very Unhealthy. The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. Very Unhealthy. The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. 301 and above: Hazardous. The air quality requires a health warning of emergency conditions, and everyone is more likely to be affected. What People Are Saying Jonathan Grigg, a professor of pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine at Queen Mary, University of London, previously told Newsweek that there are "very clear links" between inhaling particles and earlier death from both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. He added: "There are vulnerable groups and classically they are children because they've got an extra issue to do with their lungs developing, whereas our lungs are not developing as adults." The South Coast Air Quality Management District wrote on X on Thursday: "#FIREWORKS PARTICLE POLLUTION ADVISORY (July 4-5): Poor air quality due to #IndependenceDay fireworks is likely this #FourthofJuly holiday. Personal 'backyard' fireworks also contribute to this air pollution and may lead to negative health effects." What Happens Next The National Weather Service said the air quality alerts were in effect from 5 p.m. on July 4 to 11:59 p.m. on July 5.
CBS News
30-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Smoke advisory issued in Riverside County as Wolf, Mindy fires continue burning
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a smoke advisory in Riverside County as the Wolf and Mindy fires continue to burn. Although crews continue to make progress on the Wolf Fire in the Banning Pass and the Mindy Fire in the Anza area, winds have transported smoke to different areas of Southern California. The smoke advisory will be in effect until 6 p.m. Officials said smoke from the Wolf Fire is expected to impact areas north to northeast of the fire, including the Banning Pass and San Jacinto Mountains. Smoke from the Mindy Fire is expected to impact the area north of the fire, including the Lake Riverside area and the Cahuilla Reservation. Officials offer residents tips if they are in areas impacted by smoke: Limit exposure outdoors Keep windows and doors closed Avoid rigorous physical activity Run air conditioning units or air purifier Avoid using fireplaces, candles, incense, pan-frying and grilling Use properly fitting N95 or P100 masks Use this link to see a South Coast AQMD map of impacted areas.
Newsweek
30-06-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Thousands of California Residents Urged To Remain Indoors
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A regional air quality alert has been issued for parts of Southern California as two fires continue to burn in Riverside County, prompting officials to warn thousands of residents to remain indoors to avoid exposure to unhealthy smoke levels. Why It Matters In January, wildfires in California resulted in the deaths of at least two dozen people and displaced thousands. "Particles in wildfire smoke can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, asthma attacks and difficulty breathing," the alert warned. "Everyone can be affected, but people with lung or heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk." A map issued by the South Coast AQMD highlights which areas are affected by the wildfire smoke advisory. A map issued by the South Coast AQMD highlights which areas are affected by the wildfire smoke advisory. South Coast AQMD What To Know The Wolf fire, which broke out at about 3 p.m. Sunday in the area of Old Banning Idyllwild Road and the Wolfskill Truck Trail south of the city of Banning, led to evacuation orders being issued for surrounding areas. According to a map from Watch Duty—a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization run by volunteers—the Wolf fire has burned more than 1,164 acres of land as of early Monday morning. Meanwhile, the Mindy fire, which also started on Sunday, had burned about 100 acres near Decoursey Road in Riverside County, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The National Weather Service on Sunday posted an alert warning of elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the atmosphere because of wildfire smoke. The alert applies to the Banning Pass, San Jacinto Mountains, Lake Riverside area, Cahuilla Reservation and Anza area. Affected cities included Idyllwild-Pine Cove, Indio, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, La Quinta and Coachella. Residents in affected areas were advised to remain indoors with windows and doors closed, avoid intense outdoor physical activity, and avoid other sources of pollution such as fireplaces, candles, incense and gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) said smoke from the Wolf fire was expected to most significantly affect areas close to and just north-northeast of the blaze, including the Banning Pass and San Jacinto Mountains. Smoke from the Mindy fire was projected to affect areas near and north of the blaze through Monday, with the greatest impact expected around Lake Riverside and the Cahuilla Reservation. What People Are Saying Cal Fire and the Riverside County Fire Department, on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday: "#WolfFIRE [UPDATE @9 p.m.] The fire continues to burn at a moderate rate in medium to heavy brush. "Four night-flying helicopters and hundreds of firefighters will continue working throughout the night on containing the fire. "Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place." What Happens Next At the time of writing, the air quality alert was in effect through 6 p.m. Monday.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Palm Springs experiences hottest day of 2025; will the city see cooler weather this week?
The temperature in Palm Springs soared to 117 degrees Sunday afternoon, giving the city its hottest day of the year so far, according to National Weather Service data. While that temperature was enough to make Sunday the hottest day of 2025, the high fell a few degrees shy of the record high for June 15. NWS meteorologist Sam Zuber said the record high temperature of 120 degrees at Palm Springs International Airport was set in 2021. That temperature was only four degrees shy of the city's all-time high of 124 degrees, which was set last year on Independence Day. Prior to Sunday, the highest temperature so far in June had been 110 degrees set twice on June 8 and June 9. The average high temperature for June 15 is 105 degrees but will climb to 107 degrees by the end of the month. Zuber said the unseasonable heat is a result of a large area of high pressure settled over the southwestern United States and stretching from California to the four corners region. As if the heat wasn't oppressive enough, another familiar weather challenge was also brewing across the Coachella Valley. South Coast AQMD issued an air quality alert Sunday afternoon that warned that strong winds could result in blowing dust and unhealthy air quality through 8 a.m. on Tuesday. The warning stated that gusts of up to 50 mph are expected in the wind-prone San Gorgonio Pass, while gusts of 25 to 35 mph are expected in both Palm Springs and Indio although some areas in between were expected to see lighter winds. While gusts of above 40 mph had already been recorded at Whitewater on Sunday afternoon, the winds were only just starting to pick up in most of the rest of the valley. South Coast AQMD's online air quality map showed the air in the vast majority of the valley as rated 'moderate' as of around 4 p.m. Sunday. Desert residents can expect only limited relief in the coming days, Zuber said, with temperatures of above 110 degrees expected on Monday and then again on Wednesday before things gradually cool going into next weekend. Highs of 104 and 102 degrees are expected in Palm Springs next Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Paul Albani-Burgio covers growth, development and business in the Coachella Valley. Follow him on Twitter at @albaniburgiop and email him at This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs sees hottest day of 2025 but misses reaching daily record
