California drowns in smoke due to massive forest fires

The smoke from forest fires in California prevents people from living even where the flame does not burn. Due to fires, the air becomes unsuitable for the human body. Writes about it Los Angeles Times.

Фото: Depositphotos

More than 10 000 students in the Santa Monica and Malibu districts were forced to stay home on Monday, 28 October. Around 6: 30 in the morning they were warned that all schools in their district would be closed due to Getty Fire.

Authorities said that smoke from fires was one of several reasons why they closed all schools, even distant from the immediate danger of a fire.

“Air quality is unhealthy in many areas. The movement is blocked. We are still waiting for a blackout in Malibu, along with a warning about the extreme danger of fire, ”the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District said.

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Later that day, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an advisory warning of increased smoke pollution until Tuesday morning, 29 October. Strong winds spread smoke to Westside, the Santa Monica Mountains, the San Fernando Valley, and central Los Angeles.

This warning indicated "very harmful" air quality near Getty Fire. The statement was based on air pollution sensors in Brentwood. They recorded an increased level of air pollution by small particles, in particular smoke.

Monitoring stations in downtown Los Angeles and Reseda do not show increased levels of pollution "partly because winds drive smoke away from the sensors."

But things could change soon. Forecasters predict that changeable winds will blow smoke from the fire east and northeast towards the center of Los Angeles, Burbank and the San Fernando Valley, and then north to the San Fernando Valley, Sauzand Oax, Symi Valley.

The movement of smoke can be predicted only in the direction of the wind, but, according to weather forecasters, it can change at any time.

Gail Pinsker, spokeswoman for the Santa Monica Malibu County, said: “We did not think about closing schools, but then because of the dirty air created by Getty Fire, children would have to stay indoors all day.”

“We do not have air conditioning in our classrooms, so children could end up in completely enclosed rooms without air conditioning,” she said.

The Los Angeles Unified School District closed more than a dozen schools due to Getty Fire, although officials said these closures were based on their proximity to evacuation zones and not on air quality. UCLA canceled classes.

Monitoring data show that air pollution reached an “unhealthy” level by Monday morning, but air quality regulators acknowledged that higher levels of pollution were recorded.

Smoke from the fire is visible even from space. This is evidenced by a video published on Twitter by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

TODAY: NOAA's #GOES17, from 22,300 miles in space, captures the thick smoke plumes streaming from the massive #KincadeFire. @NWS: "Potentially historic fire weather conditions expected in the northern Bay Area."
#CaliforniaFires #CaWx #CAFireWX pic.twitter.com/u4Aqxwhr3k

— NOAA Satellites — Public Affairs (@NOAASatellitePA) October 27, 2019

In addition, this office published the “temperature regime” for California. Red indicates warm areas and white indicates very hot areas.

On oct. 25, 2019, #GOESWest captured this imagery of #fires in #BajaCalifornia via Fire Temperature RGB, which indicates #fire temperature as a range from red, which is warm, to white, which is very hot.
More imagery: https://t.co/sx3nL1m8Tg pic.twitter.com/kdlsvlvVcO

- NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) October 28, 2019

Air quality authorities warned that alternating winds could worsen pollution in the Bay Area, since most of the smoke is still above the Pacific Ocean.

“Smoke is now hanging over the ocean,” stated Walter Wallace, a spokesman for the air quality district in the bay. “If the weather changes, large masses of smoke will be over the Bay Area and air pollution will become even stronger.”

“Critical and extreme fire weather conditions are expected to continue into Friday, November 1st across parts of California. Gusty sea winds of up to 60 mph (96,5 km/h) and low humidity will increase risks for wildfires. Listen to local authorities and report any new fires immediately,” the National Weather Service tweeted.

In Southern California, many residents are already accustomed to the threat of fires and smoke pollution. “It's always insecure here, the danger hangs in the air,” said 62-year-old Danny Kang.

Kang and his wife woke up from the fact that smoke penetrated the windows of their bedrooms.

“When the smoke clears and the fire goes out,” he added, “it will be a wonderful place to live ... until the next fire.”

Experts say that smoke from a flame can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, cause asthma attacks, and also increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Tiny harmful particles in the smoke can settle deep in the lungs and pose a serious health hazard, especially for children, the elderly, and those with asthma and other chronic lung diseases.

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Experts recommend taking precautions if you smell smoke or see ashes in the air:

• Stay indoors with closed windows, doors, and fire dampers.
• Avoid exercise or strenuous exercise.
• Set your air conditioner or car ventilation system to “recycle” to prevent outside air from entering.
• Start the air cleaner with filter.
• Do not rely on dust masks. A properly selected N95 mask can filter out particles that damage the lungs, but it is difficult to use.

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