The Orange County and Santa Ana Mountains area is the focus of an air quality alert reported at 12:51 p.m. on Friday by the National Weather Service. The alert is in effect until Sunday Dec. 7, at midnight.

The NWS San Diego CA says to be ready for, “The South Coast AQMD has issued a mandatory wood-burning ban for residents in the South Coast Air Basin. The No-Burn rule bans burning wood, pellets, and manufactured fire logs in any indoor or outdoor wood-burning device.”

“Particles in smoke can get deep into the lungs and cause health problems (including asthma attacks), increases in emergency room visits, and hospitalizations. No-Burn Days are needed to protect public health when fine particle pollution levels are expected to be high anywhere in the South Coast Air Basin. No-Burn Days are based on fine particle pollution levels that are forecasted for an entire 24-hour period, which may not be reflected in real-time air quality maps,” the NWS said. “Run your air conditioner and/or an air purifier and avoid using devices that bring in outside air like a swamp cooler or whole house fan if you have other ways to stay cool.”

The full list of affected locations includes:

Santa Ana Mountains/Foothills
Orange County Coast
Orange County
San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys
Riverside County Mountains
San Gorgonio Pass Near Banning


Guidance for air quality alerts: Insights from the NWS

When an air quality alert is in effect, following the NWS guidance is pivotal. Here are some simple tips from the NWS for safeguarding your well-being:

Prioritize indoor stay:

Whenever possible, seek refuge indoors, especially if you grapple with respiratory concerns, health issues, or belong to the senior or child demographic

Trim outdoor activities:

When venturing outside becomes unavoidable, limit your outdoor exposure strictly to essential tasks. Reducing your time outdoors is the name of the game.

Scale back pollution-inducing practices:

Be mindful of activities that exacerbate pollution, such as driving cars, operating gas-powered lawnmowers, or using other motorized vehicles. Limit their use during air quality alerts.

A no to open burning:

Refrain from kindling fires with debris or any other materials during an air quality alert. Such practices only contribute to heightened air pollution.

Stay well-informed:

Stay updated of developments by tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio or your preferred weather news source. Being well-informed empowers you to make informed decisions regarding outdoor pursuits during air quality alerts.

Respiratory health caution:

If you have respiratory issues or health problems, exercise extra caution. These conditions can make you more vulnerable to the adverse effects of poor air quality.

Following the recommendations from the NWS helps bolster your safety during air quality alerts, minimizing your exposure to potentially harmful pollutants. Stay vigilant, stay protected, and make your health the top priority.

For more local weather alerts, visit our Weather Advisory page