close
close

Air quality warning issued in San Diego County as fires rage in Southern California – NBC 7 San Diego

What you need to know

  • Air Quality Advisory in effect for San Diego County Mountains and Valleys through 8 a.m. Thursday
  • Three major wildfires are raging north of San Diego County: the Bridge Fire, the Line Fire and the Airport Fire
  • California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange and Riverside counties

Multiple wildfires raging north of San Diego County prompted the National Weather Service to issue an air quality warning for most of the county on Wednesday.

Smoke from wildfires could cause particulate pollution until at least Thursday morning, when a warning for the region’s mountains and valleys is expected to end. That could be a concern for people with respiratory conditions like asthma and the elderly, NBC 7 meteorologists said.

“If you smell smoke or see ash from a wildfire, stay indoors with windows and doors closed or seek alternate shelter if possible,” the NWS said. “Avoid strenuous physical activity and turn on your air conditioner and/or an air purifier.”

San Diego outdoor activities and youth sports hit by air quality concerns

Some sports teams in the region were so concerned about air quality that they canceled their outdoor practices even before the NWS issued a warning.

Seth Tunick coaches Crusaders Soccer Club. His soccer league has about 1,500 kids, ranging from 4 to 18 years old. He says soccer practice was canceled Wednesday because the health of his players is his top priority.

“The practices are very intense,” Tunick said. “We don’t know what’s in the air, so we have to assume that the air quality, and they’re running around in a little bit of heat, is going to affect them in a way that would be negative for their health, so we just feel it’s best not to let them play.”

Some sports teams were so concerned about the poor air quality that they canceled outdoor practices even before the National Weather Service issued a warning. NBC 7’s Jeanette Quezada spoke with a concerned coach in San Carlos.

Air quality experts say the worrying levels of particulate matter are caused by wind-borne dust from the fires.

“Air quality is also dependent on the weather. Winds help reduce pollution from wildfires in the San Diego area,” said Glory Dolphin Hammes of IQ Air North America.

Exposure to those particles can cause serious health problems and increase the risk of respiratory infections, according to the NWS. Pollution levels can vary hourly and by location, depending on fire behavior and local weather conditions, the agency said.

What fires are raging in Southern California?

San Diego firefighters are helping to battle several wildfires north of our country, which have burned more than 100,000 hectares.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange and Riverside Counties because of the fires. He had declared a state of emergency for San Bernardino County because of the Line Fire on Monday.

Here the fires burn:

Los Angeles County

The Bridge Fire in Los Angeles and San Bernardino County is the largest active fire in California, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said. The blaze has prompted evacuation orders for nearby neighborhoods and destroyed dozens of homes.

The fire has burned more than 50,000 hectares and was 0% contained as of 6:50 p.m. Wednesday.

Orange County

The fire at the Trabuco Canyon airport in Orange County was 5% contained by Wednesday evening and had burned more than 23,000 acres.

According to Cal Fire, the fire, first reported on Monday, is now burning in Riverside County.

Several communities were issued evacuation orders and warnings. Two people were injured, while 10 firefighters were treated for minor injuries.

San Bernardino County

The Line Fire burned more than 36,000 acres and was 18% contained as of Wednesday evening. It threatened approximately 65,600 structures in the area.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of starting a fire that quickly spread to the Line Fire.

San Diego County

The Roblar Fire that broke out over the weekend has burned 1,000 acres near Camp Pendleton.

According to Cal Fire, the fire was 100% under control as of Wednesday evening.