While cigarette smoking declines dramatically in California, another method of puffing is on the rise, especially among young adults - hookah use. A study by the American Journal of Public Health released last week states that between 2005 and 2008, hookah use by California adults spiked to more than 40%. more ›

We get to have a lot more fun with our headlines (as in "Palm Springs Granny Robs Bank While Wearing Floppy Hat," et al) than the folks at more mainstream, big business news outlets. But sometimes, if you catch them at the right time, you can spot a little wink coming from the headline of a post on one of those kinds of sites, like today, at the OC Register, who we can thank for the headline of the day: "Smoke reported at hookah lounge." more ›

South Pasadena's City Council has approved an ordinance that aims to protect school-age kids of the future, according to the Pasadena Star-News, by ensuring retailers don't sell cigarettes near schools. more ›

A large fire that caused an explosion at a South L.A. recycling facility this afternoon has officials warning about air quality in the region. The L.A. County Department of Public Health said people are "urged to avoid unnecessary outdoor activity where there is visible smoke or the odor of smoke." more ›

People all over the Westside and near LAX have been curious about a plume of dark smoke and flames originating from the El Segundo area, and worried that a large fire was burning dangerously close to homes and businesses. However, the fire is actually originating from the Chevron facilities, according to a live KTLA broadcast, and the LAFD confirms via email alert that the refinery there is "performing a 'controlled burn-off.'" The authorities "are aware of this," noted KTLA, "so you can rest assured that no one is in danger." more ›

Just one hour and one half into the Guiberson Fire on Tuesday, NASA's Terra satellite captured smoke billowing over the Santa Susana Mountains and into the Oxnard Plain toward the Pacific Ocean. Further west is Santa Cruz Island, the biggest Channel Island at the size of 96 square miles. The smoke cloud appears to be the same size. 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 has grown to 160,357 acres--that's over 250 square miles--up some 3,000 acres since last night. The blaze, now contained at 57 percent, has been a difficult fight for personnel and last night calmed on the western end, but became more aggressive on the northern one. 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 ›

One major concern when it comes to the Station Fire is its proximity to Mount Wilson, which is home to a renowned 105-year-old Observatory, as well as communication towers for many local television and radio outlets ("relay broadcasting"). Although there are no personnel currently allowed on Mt. Wilson, they are monitoring the fire as best they can via the news, and posting updates to their website. They also operate a live webcam from one of the towers, which you can look at here. This morning they noted: "Towercam images during the night showed Red Box area flaming dying down, which is good news, but current Towercam scenes are obscured by smoke." more ›

Since this morning, not much has changed with the Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest north of La Canada Flintridge, according to U.S. Forest Service officials. The fire is burning in two different directions with smoke traveling northeast, which is one direction the blaze is taking. But most concerns are focused on the portion moving southwest towards homes, 873 of which that are evacuated last night. 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 ›

Take the high heat and the smoke from the Morris Fire and it's just not going to be a fun next few days outdoors. “While people don’t need to be told it’s hot outside, they do need to be reminded how to take care of themselves, children, the elderly, and their pets when the weather gets hotter,” said LA County Health Officer Jonathan E. Fielding in a statement this morning. “When temperatures are high, prolonged sun exposure may cause dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke." 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 ›

A manhole cover blew on 4th Street around 10:30 a.m. this morning, prompting the LA Fire Department to shut down traffic at 4th and Spring. "They're trying to make sure no one is around any of the adjacent manhole covers in case they also blow," explaind d'Lisa Davies, LAFD spokesperson, over the phone. One film crew was evacuated from the area and currently, "lots of heavy smoke" is coming from under the street. 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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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 ›

911 and multiple media calls to the Los Angeles Fire Department indicated that there was smoke at the 405 Freeway and Howard Hughes Blvd. Upon further investigation, there was no concern, it was just dust: "Smoke Scare due to construction," Melissa Kelley at the LAFD wrote in an alert. JET NOISE: Curbed LA says it's Air Force Week. more ›

A smoldering fire was knockedown shortly before 8:30 a.m. this morning in Browns Canyon north of Chatsworth inside the burn area of the Sesnon Fire. The fire was not an immediate threat, Brian Humphrey of the LA Fire Department said, but to make sure it didn't become one, they sent a few engines and helicopters to soak it down. The fire, which was first reported at 7:14 a.m., had no visible flames and was burning under decomposing vegetation such as weeds, leaves, tree roots and branches. 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 ›

Due to the Marek and Sesnon fires, the South Coast Air Quality Management District is sending out daily advisories. Today, they warn people in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and portions of the San Gabriel Mountains near the fires. "Concentrations of fine particulate may reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category or higher in areas impacted by the fires," the advisory says. "As the winds diminish and shift, additional areas may experience smoke and ash, causing air quality to be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or higher." As usual, they say that outdoor activity and even indoor activity should be avoided. Bad example: Fox 11 showed a man going for a run, jogging suit and all, in Porter Ranch this morning. more ›

Valley, southwest Riverside County, Orange County. A smoke advisory is in effect for the San Fernando Valley and portions of the San Gabriel Mountains near the Marek/Little Tujunga Fire. The AQMD suggests that vigorous outdoor and indoor activity should be avoided and people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should stay inside with windows and doors shut. more ›

Via LA County Fire | View Larger Map more ›

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has released a smoke advisory due to the Marek Wildland Fire in National Angeles Forest above the Northeast Valley. They urge people "to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke," in areas where one not only just see smoke, but can smell it. In areas directly impacted by the smoke, " In areas directly impacted by smoke. "everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors. Keep your windows and doors closed unless it is extremely hot inside. In these cases, 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." more ›

AQMD, the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of LA, San Bernardino and Riverside counties have issued a smoke advisory today for areas impacted by smoke from the wildfire at Camp Pendleton. "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," their alert said. A little more directly related to the Los Angeles area, LA County's Department of Public Health, who also issues air quality alerts, has not sent one out. This morning, the LA Fire Department's phone lines were surged with calls about the smell of smoke in the air, prompting the department to send out an alert explaining what was going on and to only to call 9-1-1 if there is a true emergency. more ›