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Seeing Smoke in Encino-Tarzana? Here's Why
Health officials are warning certain residents to avoid the outdoors, and firefighters are being inundated with calls about the smoke.
Los Angeles, CA - Smoke from the massive Santa Barbara County Sherpa fire is invading the Valley area and all the way down into Orange County, prompting health officials to warn residents of the danger.
The Los Angeles Fire Department is also fielding calls from residents worried there might be a wildfire closer to home because of the smoke.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory today for Los Angeles and Orange counties in response to the 4,000-acre Sherpa Fire in Santa Barbara County. Officials are warning residents to avoid exercising in areas affected the by the smoke and keep doors and windows closed. Older adults, children and people with respiratory or heart conditions are advised to remain indoors as well.
Find out what's happening in Encino-Tarzanafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"While much of the smoke from the distant fire is dispersed and remains aloft, smoke may affect communities across the South Coast Air Basin at times," according to the advisory. "The smoke is not currently causing significant air quality concerns for the basin, but increased haze can be seen."
Residents were also urged to run air conditioners with the fresh-air intake closed, and avoid using swamp coolers or whole-house fans.
Find out what's happening in Encino-Tarzanafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
#LAFD is receiving multiple 911 calls for smell of smoke in the #SanFernandoValley which is from the #SantaBarbara #SherpaFire. -Erik Scott — LAFD (@LAFD) June" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/LAFD/statu... 17, 2016
At 12:45 a.m., the Orange County Fire Authority dispatched a strike team to help battle the Sherpa Fire. The team includes five brush engines and 19 firefighters. As of late this morning, the Los Angeles County Fire Department had not sent any crews to the fireline, but had supervisors monitoring the blaze.
So far, the Sherpa Fire has burned 4,000 acres and was 5 percent contained as of around midday. About 270 structures are threatened, and one has already been destroyed.
Patch Staffer Paige Austin and City News Service contributed to this report; File Photo: Caltrans, LA County Fire
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