As wildfires are flaring across Southern California this weekend, health officials issued warnings of poor air quality on Saturday.
"What we're forecasting is that the air quality will be unhealthy for everyone" in areas where wildfires were raging, said Sam Atwood, a spokesman for the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
"When air quality is unhealthy for everyone, that means not just those who are sensitive for smoke and smog, but everyone. They need to not exercise vigorously outdoors. And if you're indoors, stay indoors," Atwood noted.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles County public health officials urged residents to take precautions and advised some sports organizations, notably youth leagues, to take the day off.
"We are also advising schools that are in session in smoke-impacted areas to suspend outside physical activities in these areas, including physical education and after-school sports, until conditions improve," Public Health Director Jonathan E. Fielding said in a press release.
Los Angeles County is among the areas hardest hit by the fires. Ripping through the city's northern foothills, the brush fire reached 70 mph overnight and into Saturday morning, burning 2,600 acres (1,053 hectares) of land and prompted authorities to order the evacuation of 10,000 residents.
About 80 miles (128 km) to the northwest, another blaze in the Santa Barbara community of Montecito was continuing, forcing the evacuation of more than 5,400 families and destroying over 110 houses.
Source: Xinhua
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