Air Quality Alert issued January 8 at 12:26PM PST by NWS San Diego CA

* WHAT…The South Coast AQMD has issued an air quality alert due to
harmful levels of particle pollution from windblown dust and
wildfire smoke. The South Coast AQMD has issued a mandatory wood-
burning ban for residents in the South Coast Air Basin. The No-Burn
rule bans burning wood, pellets, and manufactured fire logs in any
indoor or outdoor wood-burning device.

* WHERE…Windblown dust in Coachella Valley, Riverside and San
Bernardino Counties, and wildfire smoke in western San Bernardino
County. Levels of particle pollution can vary by time and location
depending on fire activity and local weather conditions. Wood-
burning ban in the South Coast Air Basin, which includes Orange
County and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San
Bernardino counties. No-Burn Day alerts do not apply to areas above
3,000 feet in elevation, the Coachella Valley, or the High Desert.
Homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income
households and those without natural gas service also are exempt
from the requirement.

* WHEN…Windblown dust until 6 PM Wednesday, wildfire smoke from 11
AMWednesday to 6 PM Thursday, and wood-burning ban from mid-night
to mid-night Thursday.

* IMPACTS…Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and causeserious
health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, asthma attacks,
and difficulty breathing. Everyone can be affected, but people with
lung or heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant,
children, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater
risk.