For yet another year, Los Angeles has been named by the American Lung Association as one of the cities with some of the dirtiest air in America. more ›

Now is not the time for Anglenos to breathe a sigh of relief. In fact, after Forbes released a report yesterday naming Los Angeles the sixth most toxic city in America, they might want to hold their breath altogether. While it is no secret that Los Angeles faces a pollution problem, many residents may not realize just how many toxic elements they are exposed to on a daily basis. more ›

The organization charged with monitoring air quality in parts of Southern California warned that some areas may suffer Sunday evening and on Monday due to fireworks. The South Coast Air Quality Management District says firework emissions are expected to release particulate matter into the air, adding to the fine particles already present due to vehicle emissions. more ›

With our Thanksgiving-week weather forecast calling for high temps and Santa Ana winds we're also finding that our air is full of "ash and dust from areas burned by recent wildfires [which] is being blown across Los Angeles County," according to CBS2. more ›

Not that normal means no more smog, but the daily Station Fire-related alerts from the Los Angeles County Public Health Department took a turn for the better today. "According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the air quality in Los Angeles County has returned to 'moderate' to 'good' levels, except for in the areas immediately around the still-burning portions of the Station Fire in the San Gabriel Mountains," the agency announced in an e-mail today. Recent daily alerts usually affected the San Gabriel, San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys for sensitive individuals (i.e., the elderly, kids and those with respiratory conditions), but when the fire, along with a few others, were just beginning in late August, air quality throughout the region suffered. more ›

Only one region of Los Angeles County--communities directly on the San Gabriel Mountains--is still adversely affected by smoke from the Station Fire, officials announced today. That means residents previously plagued with daily warnings about air quality can breath in with a sign of relief. Yesterday, air quality in the San Gabriel Valley was so bad, that the LA County Department of Public Health the air was bad for everyone, not just sensitive individual (i.e., the elderly, children and those with certain health conditions). As usual, Los Angeles County Health Officer, Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, urges all individuals in those areas, or areas where there is visible smoke or the odor of smoke, to avoid unnecessary outdoor and indoor physical exertion, such as exercise. Smoking is a bad idea, too. more ›

Past air quality alerts regarding Station Fire pollution stated that the air quality was unhealthy for "sensitive individuals," such as the elderly, children and those with respiratory problems. However, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health toda said air quality is "unhealthy for all individuals" in the San Gabriel Mountains and Valley. Air quality in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys remain "unhealthy for sensitive individuals." Officials urge residents to call the LA County info line at 2-1-1 with questions. more ›

The Station Fire may be 56 percent contained, but its smoke is still affecting air in the San Gabriel Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains. "Air quality may reach Unhealthy levels, or higher, due to high concentrations of fine particulates in smoke-impacted areas," the South Coast Air Quality Management District announced this afternoon. "All individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke. This includes areas where residents can see or smell smoke." more ›

Whether you're planning a quick getaway or staying close to home this long weekend, you may be wondering, as you gaze out into the gray, hazy abyss from the wildfires, "just how safe is it to breathe?" more ›

conditions improve." Although the above geographical locations are specific, Fielding says wind can shift the level of dust particles in the air, so everyone should always be aware of their environment. more ›

As the Station Fire raged over the weekend, causing air quality to pummel, officials were unsure if a game between UCLA and San Diego State could safely be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. After consulting university medical staff along with Pasadena officials and air-quality experts, Athletic director Dan Guerrero said the game is on! So now the question is, will the Bruins show up and kick ass? more ›

Although the Station Fire's growth early last night seemed to be a sign of a slow down, the blaze, which killed two firefighters and has destroyed over 50 structures, grew some 15,000 acres as the hours progressed. The fire remains at 5 percent containment, but the weather is expected to cool down and moisture in the air is expected to return, which should aid firefighters, save for the worry of gusty wind and dry lightening strikes. This morning the focus of firefighting efforts remain in keeping flames away from homes, particularly in areas of La Crescenta, Tujunga, Sunland, and at Mount Wilson. Backfires set last night in Acton and La Crescenta are helping to keep the burn under control. Evacuation orders in more ›

As four major fires burn in the greater Los Angeles region, officials from the LA County Health Department, who raised this week's heat advisory to a heat alert, want to make sure people stay safe. "We have two problems in Los Angeles County; each makes the other worse," Dr. Jonathan Fielding, county health officer, said in opening statements at a press conference this morning. "Summer has finally come." He said the heat exacerbates the fires which in turn worsens air quality. more ›

The Station Fire has burned some 300 acres in the Angeles National Forest. Here's some what it looks like from the foothill community of La Canada. This and the Morris Fire continue to worsen the air quality among the high temperatures around the Los Angeles region. more ›

Officials announced this morning to take heed of the smoke pouring into the Los Angeles basin from the Morris Fire in the Angeles National Forest, but the LA Times finds that it could be sticking around throughout the hot weekend. While a lack of wind is helping firefighters battle the blaze in San Gabriel Canyon north of Azusa, it is also hindering it from blowing away. more ›

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory warning residents in areas near the Morris Fire to take caution when exerting energy or if they have respiratory problems. Outdoor activities should be avoided and the elderly and children should especially stay inside, unless it's too hot. Affected areas include portions of the San Gabriel Mountains, the west San Bernardino Mountains, the east San Gabriel Valley, portions of the South San Gabriel Valley, portions of the Pomona/Walnut Valley, the northwest San Bernardino Valley, the southwest San Bernardino Valley, the central san Bernardino Valley and the East San Bernardino Valley. UPDATE: Officials with LA County Public Health say take caution anywhere you see or smell smoke. “It is difficult to tell where ash or soot from a wildfire will go, or how winds will affect the level of dust particles in the air, so we ask all individuals to be aware of their immediate environment and how it might affect their health,” said Health Officer Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding. more ›

With parts of the Valley at 83 degrees at noon, it was a welcome surprise after yesterday's blistering temps and with LA County public health officials extending a week long heat alert through today. Of course, the Antelope Valley has already hit triple digits with the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys to follow, but the National Weather Service is no longer predicting that nor are they reporting high temperatures at the height of the day. Temperatures for both valleys are in the 80s. However, an air quality adivosry has been sent out for the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys stating the air is unhealthy for sensitive--old, young, sick prone--individuals. more ›

The Valleys will once again get the short end of the stick. The agency responsible for monitoring air quality in the Los Angeles region announced that tomorrow’s air quality will be unhealthy for sensitive individuals such as those who have heart disease, asthma or other respiratory disease. People with such conditions living or working in the Santa Clarita Valley, Pomona Valley, East San Gabriel Valley and West San Fernando Valley should minimize outdoor activities, says the South Coast Air Quality Management District and echoed by the LA County Department of Public Health, which also warned of today's and tomorrow's high heat. more ›

State of the Air report. However, we are still number one for ozone badness. more ›

In the American Lung Association's latest "State of the Air," it's no surprise Los Angeles County fails. For 2008, Los Angeles had 185 orange days (unhealthy for sensitive populations), 55 red days (unhealthy for all of us) and 11 purple days (very unhealthy). In fact, Los Angeles made all 6 top 25 lists for most polluted and at-risk with various factors. On the clean county lists, many northern and eastern California counties made it, including Santa Barbara and San Francisco. Today, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is expected to counter the report touting "improvements to Los Angeles air quality" at a mid-morning press conference. more ›

In probably the most comprehensive study of its kind, a series from USA Today--The Smokestake Effect: Toxic Air and America’s Schools--pinpoints toxic hotspots near schools in over 34 states. Working with the University of Massachusetts - Amherst, they looked at over 127,000 public, private and parochial schools, ranking them by air quality. more ›

Mary Nichols, chair for the California Air Resources Board, has been rumored to be a top contender to head up the Environmental Protection Agency for the Obama administration. In an interview with the Sacramento Bee, she said "I'm not talking about that. I've been asked not to talk about it." That made one Bee blogger to be suspicious: "asked not to talk about it? Hmm. Does that sounds like a 'yes' to you?" more ›

You can start running, hiking and illegally working out on Santa Monica medians again. The Air Quality Management District and the LA County Department of Public Health say that most of LA County air has improved since the wildfires. Areas still of concern are Santa Clarita Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains where visible smoke, soot, ash or an odor of smoke are still present. more ›

Here are the fires and smoke as seen on Sunday from a NASA satellite. The smoke, spread out through the region, is much worse than the smoke last month during the Sesnon and Marek Fires (see that satellite image here). As health officials warn, keep that in mind when you see and/or smell smoke.
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As fires continue to burn, offshore and onshore winds are expected to push smoke throughout the region. The South Coast Air Quality Management District says you should exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in areas directly impacted by smoke. What that means is if you can see it or smell it, then take the warning seriously. more ›

Due to the smoke and ash in the air generated by the two massive fires that have burning in Los Angeles and Orange Counties this weekend the Pasadena Marathon has been canceled. Yesterday the AQMD issued a smoke warning, and modified it to include Orange and Riverside county information once the Corona-Yorba Linda fire began to rage. The warning notes that, "surrounding areas of Los Angeles and Orange counties may reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups level or higher, depending on fire conditions and wind flows." Many people all over LA and OC are reporting smoky air and are opting to remain indoors. Participants in the Pasadena Marathon are asked to check online tomorrow for more information about the event. more ›

The Air Quality Management District have issued a smoke advisory in the San Fernando Valley for today due to the Sayre fire currently burning. They caution that "all individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke. This includes areas where residents can see or smell smoke." more ›

And this is why smoke related air quality and public health advisories are being issued everyday as the fires continue. more ›

Smoke from the Sesnon and Marek fires continue to affect the San Fernando, Simi and Santa Clarita Valleys, including the immediate areas around fire scorched San Gabriel Mountains. However, the South Coast Air Quality Management District adds a new warning today with the changing winds: "As the winds diminish and shift, additional areas may experience smoke and ash, causing air quality to be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or higher." Basically, continue to keep those windows shut and avoid vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion, they say. LA County's Dept. of Public Health recommends that "all individuals wanting to pursue any outdoor activities in areas where smoke, soot, or ash can be seen or there is an odor of smoke" should be avoided. more ›

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