Palisades Fire: Santa Monica Under Smoke Advisory

SANTA MONICA, CA — Progress on the Palisades Fire is improving Tuesday, with evacuation orders lifted and containment reported at 1,158 acres with 32% containment.

Still, Santa Monica and its neighbors remain under a Smoke Advisory through Wednesday. The South Coast Air Quality Management District extended the advisory and put Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, much of the Conejo Valley and Santa Mountains, and northwest San Fernando Valley under the advisory, warning that areas downwind of the Pacific Palisades fire may experience unhealthy air quality levels.

The South Coast AQMD reported acceptable air quality in most of Santa Monica. Along the coast all the way to the Ventura County border, Malibu's Air Quality Index averages around 39, with 50 being the upper limit of the "good" category. Areas falling within this category have satisfactory air quality, with little or no risk of air pollution, according to the AQMD.

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY UPDATE (Tuesday, May 18th):
-Smoke Advisory for #PalisadesFire has been extended to Wednesday, May 19: https://t.co/Y158OoPtBX

Información en español:
South Coast AQMD continúa aviso de humo a causa de el incendio forestal Palisades: https://t.co/ctPFfWWfN8 pic.twitter.com/aGOByjUoKN
— South Coast AQMD (@SouthCoastAQMD) May 18, 2021

Forecasted Smoke and Ash Impacts

AQMD reports that areas downwind of the Palisades Fire will experience the highest AQI levels due to smoke impacts. Smoke and ash impacts will be highly variable in both timing and location through Wednesday.

West and south winds near the Palisades Fire are expected to push smoke east and north into the mountains in Topanga State Park and cities east and north of the mountains Tuesday night through Wednesday morning.

"The PM2.5 concentrations in Reseda, Tarzana, and Van Nuys may increase Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning," AQMD reports. "Areas east and northeast of the Palisades Fires, as well as areas in direct proximity to the fires, will likely see the highest particulate matter levels overnight as smoke is likely to remain closer to the ground."

Southwest winds near the Palisades Fire are expected to push smoke northeast into the mountains in Topanga State Park and San Fernando Valley cities Wednesday afternoon. The PM2.5 concentrations in Tarzana, Encino, and Van Nuys may increase on Wednesday afternoon.

" Smoke impacts will be heavily dependent on the progress of fire containment efforts," according to AQMD. "As firefighters continue to make progress against the fire, smoke impacts will decrease and become more localized. The South Coast Air Quality Management District will continue to provide daily smoke advisory updates until air quality impacts subside."

- Patch Editor Michael Wittner contributed to this report.

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