SCV air quality prompts caution
Smoke drifting over the pass from San Fernando Valley fire makes unhealthy situation worse for residents
County health officials warned residents about air quality concerns for Friday and Saturday in the Santa Clarita and in East San Gabriel valleys.
“Unhealthy air quality comes from high ozone levels,” said Sam Atwood, the South Coast Air Quality Management District media office manager. “This happens when high temperatures combine with air pollution from cars, trucks, businesses and other sources.”
Ozone concentrations are usually at their highest on hot summer afternoons when there is little to no wind, he said. Ozone levels are considered unhealthy when the air quality index is between 151 and 200, and is very unhealthy when it is between 201 and 300.
Part of the problem for Santa Clarita Valley residents came from factors outside the SCV.
Thick smoke drifted into the Santa Clarita Valley on Friday afternoon as fire crews raced to extinguish two blazes in Sylmar, according to an emergency official.
More than 80 firefighters battled the Jensen Fire, first reported at 3:14 p.m. near the 14300 block of San Fernando Road, according to Amy Bastman of the Los Angeles City Fire Department. The smoke emitted by the blaze traveled north into the Santa Clarita Valley and eventually blanketed the foothills near Centre Pointe Parkway and Golden Valley Road.
No evacuations were issued, but a spot fire was ignited near Interstate 5 and Roxford Street a short time later. Both fires were extinguished by 3:30 p.m.
There were no active fires burning within the Santa Clarita Valley as of 3:30 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Public Information Office.
Even when the skies are clear, blue skies may make it appear safe to be outdoors, but ozone is a colorless, odorless gas that is harmful to breathe.