Air Quality Unhealthy In Some Southland Cities Friday

LOS ANGELES, CA — Much of the southland awoke to a hazy orange glow, Thursday amid several fires in the southland area. Residents shared social media messages of ash-covered patio furniture, cars and sidewalks as the area suffers massive wildfires in the mountains.

So what is that doing to the air we breathe?

The South Coast Air Quality Management District predicts our air quality to range from moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups across the South Coast Air Basin, Thursday through Friday. In Orange County, nearly all cities were in the moderate range, with air quality between 59 and 63, with particulate matter of 2.5 micrometers or less.

The forecast released by the AQMD lists the highest expected Air Quality Index level —for ozone unless otherwise noted— in each area of the South Coast Basin.

The Air Quality Index calculates pollutants in the air, whether from ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, PM2.5 (particulate matter 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter) or PM10 (particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter).

Conditions are considered "good" when AQI levels are between zero and 50. Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.

When AQI levels are 51 to 100, air quality is deemed "moderate," which means that air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

Air quality is designated "unhealthy for sensitive groups" when AQI levels are from 101 to 150.

At this level, active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

When AQI levels are between 151 and 200, air quality is deemed "unhealthy.''

At this level, active children, and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion. Everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

MODERATE in the following area(s):

• Antelope Valley AQI: 68 PM2.5
• Banning Pass Area AQI: 89 PM2.5
• Big Bear Lake AQI: 93 PM2.5
• Central Mojave Desert AQI: 53 PM2.5
• Coachella Valley/Low Desert AQI: 89 PM2.5
• Coastal Area AQI: 63 PM2.5
• Hemet/Elsinore Area AQI: 93 PM2.5
• Inland Orange County AQI: 59 PM2.5
• Metropolitan Area AQI: 66 PM2.5
• Northern Mojave Desert AQI: 53 PM2.5
• San Bernardino Mountains AQI: 97 PM2.5
• San Bernardino Valley AQI: 99 PM2.5
• San Fernando/Santa Clarita Valleys AQI: 63 PM2.5
• Temecula/Anza Area AQI: 87 PM2.5
• Victor Valley AQI: 59 PM2.5

UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS in the following area(s):

• Riverside Valley AQI: 105 PM2.5
• San Gabriel Mountains AQI: 107 PM2.5
• San Gabriel Valley AQI: 119 PM2.5

Though the air is tinged with smokey haze, the sunsets in our towns have been amazing. If you want to share a smokey sky sunset with Patch,email your editor with the photo, and where you took it for a chance to have it published on Patch.