An air pollution advisory will remain in effect through 12:30 p.m. Sunday for areas east of downtown Los Angeles and portions of the San Gabriel Valley as firefighters continue battling a warehouse fire in Boyle Heights.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District said smoke from the fire could continue to affect air quality in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles, particularly in areas downwind of the facility.
Air monitoring conducted Wednesday evening found particulate matter levels were generally near background levels, although brief increases were detected within the smoke plume. The agency said no significant levels of toxic metals were observed.
Air quality monitors detected elevated levels of fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, beginning Friday night, with air quality ranging from unhealthy for sensitive groups to very unhealthy in parts of central Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Valley, the eastern San Fernando Valley and the northwestern San Bernardino Valley.
“Air monitoring showed there were no additional toxic chemicals or hazards within that smoke other than normal structure fire smoke,” Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Branden Silverman said during a Saturday morning update.
Residents who see or smell smoke are advised to stay indoors with windows and doors closed. Air quality officials also recommend using an air purifier if available and avoiding the use of whole-house fans or swamp coolers that can draw outdoor air inside.
Los Angeles County has opened a temporary smoke relief shelter at City Terrace Park, 1126 N. Hazard Ave., for affected residents. No evacuation order has been issued, but county officials said the site offers cleaner air, masks, bottled water, nonperishable food and information from public health and air quality officials. Transportation assistance is also available for residents who need help reaching the shelter.
The city of Los Angeles has also opened a shelter at Pecan Recreation Center, 145 S. Pecan St., for residents seeking relief from smoke impacts.
People with respiratory conditions, older adults, children and others sensitive to smoke may want to limit outdoor activity while smoke remains visible in the area.
