Air Quality Advisory in Effect due to Canyon Fire

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For Immediate Release:
July 30, 2010

Air Quality Advisory in Effect for Northern Los Angeles County
Visible smoke may affect air quality for those affected by the Canyon
Fire

LOS ANGELES - Due to fire activity in the Antelope Valley, air quality
in parts of Los Angeles County may be affected. Health officials urge
all residents living and working in areas of visible smoke or where
there is an odor of smoke to avoid unnecessary outdoor activity.

"Everyone should avoid any outdoor or indoor exertion or exercise in
smoke-impacted areas," said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of
Public Health and Health Officer. "In areas where smoke may not be
visible, but may still be impacted by this fire, we are advising
sensitive individuals, such as those with heart disease, asthma, or
other respiratory disease, to stay indoors as much as possible. We are
also advising schools that are in session in smoke-impacted areas to
suspend physical activities, including physical education and
after-school sports, until conditions improve."

Non-school related sports organizations, such as AYSO, for children and
adults are advised to cancel outdoor practices in areas where there is
visible smoke, soot, or ash, or where there is an odor of smoke. This
also applies to other recreational outdoor activity, such as hikes or
picnics, in these areas.

The following recommendations will help protect you and your family
from harm effects of bad air quality:
● If outdoor air is bad, try to keep indoor air as clean as
possible by keeping doors and windows closed. Air conditions that
recirculate air within the home can help filter out harmful particles.
Avoid using air conditioning units that only draw in air from the
outside or that do not have a recirculating option.
● People can participate in indoor sports or other strenuous
activity with visible smoke, soot or ash, provided the indoor location
has air conditioning that does not draw air from the outside, and it has
closed windows and doors to protect the cleanliness of indoor air.
● If you have symptoms of lung or heart disease that may be
related to smoke exposure, including severe coughing, shortness of
breath or difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain,
palpitations, nausea or unusual fatigue or lightheadedness, contact your
doctor immediately or go to an urgent care center.

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and
improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles
County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and
services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control,
and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000
employees and has an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more
about Public Health and the work we do, please visit
http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov, visit our YouTube channel at
http://www.youtube.com/lapublichealth, or follow us on Twitter:
LAPublicHealth.

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