City Health Officer Warns Residents of Poor Air Quality Due to Smoke from Fire in Anaheim Hills

City Health Officer Anissa Davis warns Long Beach residents regarding potential unhealthy air quality due to Canyon Fire 2 in Anaheim Hills. Smoke and ash from the fire is rising into the atmosphere and is visible over portions of Long Beach and surrounding areas, potentially creating unhealthy conditions for sensitive populations.

“All individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke and ash,” said Dr. Davis. “This includes areas where residents can see or smell smoke.”

In any area impacted by smoke, residents should take the following precautions:
Avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion.
People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors.
Keep windows and doors closed or seek alternate shelter.
Run your air conditioner if you have one.
Change the standard air-conditioner filter to a medium or high efficiency filter. If you have a wall-unit or window-unit air conditioner, set it to “re-circulate.”
Do not use a swamp cooler or whole-house fan to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.
To avoid worsening the health effects of wildfire smoke, do not use indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces.

For more detailed information about air quality related to the wildfire, visit the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s website at www.aqmd.gov

For more tips on avoiding health impacts from smoke, see http://www.aqmd.gov/home/library/public-information/publications#factsheet