Air Quality Alert issued January 12 at 7:30PM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

* WHAT…The South Coast AQMD has issued an air quality alert due to
increased harmful levels of particle pollution from windblown dust,
and 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 parts of the South Coast Air Basin,
Coachella Valley, and Eastern Riverside 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 12 PM Tuesday, and wood-burning ban
on Sunday and Monday

* IMPACTS…Particles can get deep into the lungs and cause serious
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.