Windblown dust and ash air quality advisory issued for Orange County

(Santa Ana, CA) — The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) today issued a Windblown Dust and Ash Advisory where winds are high across the Los Angeles metro area, the Inland Empire, and Orange County. Air quality will be variable through Saturday afternoon or until windy conditions subside.

Precautions for those in impacted areas:

• Limit your exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed or seeking alternate shelter.
• Avoid vigorous physical activity.
• Run your air conditioning and/or an air purifier. If possible, do not use swamp coolers or whole-house fans that bring in outside air.
• Help minimize dust pollution by stabilizing loose soils and slowing down if driving on dirt roads.
• Always wear proper personal protective equipment (long-sleeve shirts, pants, gloves, and safety glasses) when working around ash. A well-fitting respirator such as an N-95 may provide some protection. If you do get ash on your skin, wash it off as soon as possible.
• Do not use leaf blowers or take other actions (e.g., dry sweeping) that will put ash into the air. To clean up ash, use vacuums equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters.

For more information, see the EPA Guide for Particle Pollution (PDF).

To view current air quality in your neighborhood, download the South Coast AQMD app or visit www.aqmd.gov/AQImap.