As three major wildfires burn out of control in Southern California, smoke clouded the region and beyond. Millions woke up to hazy skies and poor air quality as crews continued to fight the Palisades Fire in western Los Angeles, the Eaton Fire near Altadena and the Hurst/Sylmar Fire near Santa Clarita.
Air quality sensors monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency showed hazardous conditions — the most severe of the six air quality levels — in downtown Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, Alhambra, Monterey Park and East L.A.
Air quality as the fires rage was considered “very unhealthy” in Inglewood, Baldwin Hills and into Culver City.
Coastal areas and beach communities usually see reprieve from poor air quality thanks to fresh ocean air, but that was not the case Wednesday as fires burned so close to the water.
The smoke conditions for the entire South Coast Air Quality Management District jurisdiction, which includes Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, can also be seen here.
These sensors measure levels of PM2.5 to determine where the air is unhealthy to breathe. PM2.5 is fine particulate matter composed of particles 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter. The particles can travel deep into our lungs, causing tissue damage and lung inflammation.
