Smoke is drifting to cities miles away from where multiple major wildfires are burning in Los Angeles County, prompting several air quality alerts, but will it reach San Diego County?
No air quality alerts have been issued in San Diego County as of Monday but NBC 7's team of meteorologists is tracking wind movements to determine whether locals will begin to see or smell smoke.
Over the weekend, drift smoke could be seen in some parts of North San Diego County, but the North County Fire Protection District reported no threats to nearby communities.
An onshore flow could push smoke that has gone off the coast back toward San Diego.
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"There is that possibility we get some more hazy sky conditions locally and our air quality could be impacted because of that wildfire smoke," NBC 7 meteorologist Brooke Martell said.
The San Diego County Air Pollution District said San Diego County's air quality levels are expected to be good to moderate through at least Monday.
The ongoing wildfires have put the Los Angeles area under an air quality alert, with the National Weather Service advising Southern California residents to remain indoors with their windows closed and wear N-95 masks if they have to go outside.
When an air quality alert is issued, smoke and windblown dust may be creating particle pollution, which could be an issue for those with respiratory problems like asthma and the elderly, according to the NWS.
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"Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, asthma attacks and difficulty breathing," the NWS said.
The agency urges you to do the following if you smell or see smoke:
- Stay inside and keep your windows and doors closed
- Don't do intense outdoor physical activity
- Turn on your air conditioner and air purifier
- Avoid using fans that bring in outside air if possible
- Wear an N-95 mask if you go outdoors
- Stay away from fireplaces, candles, incense, grilling and gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment
At least five fires in the Los Angeles area โ the biggest ones being in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena โ continue to burn out of control. The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner reported 11 deaths Friday in connection with the fires.
"It's extremely frustrating," a fire chief from El Dorado Hills in Northern California told NBC Los Angeles while fighting the Eaton Fire. "I mean, everyone's doing the best they can with what we have, and it's just frustrating that it's just not enough."