Smoke advisory issued for Blue Cut Fire: What you need to know

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Smoke advisory issued for Blue Cut Fire: What you need to know
A smoke advisory was issued for portions of San Bernardino County after the Blue Cut Fire erupted.

WRIGHTWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory due to the raging Blue Cut Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest.

The smoke advisory means that air quality may reach unhealthy levels in areas directly impacted by smoke, including the communities of Devore and Wrightwood.

Other areas directly impacted by smoke will likely include portions of the northwest San Bernardino Valley, especially near Devore, and portions of the west and central San Bernardino County.

MORE: Blue Cut Fire scorches San Bernardino National Forest as thousands evacuate homes

Experts said if you live in an area impacted by smoke, avoid outdoor activity, keep windows and doors closed if possible, and run your air conditioner if you have one.

You're urged to keep the filter for the air conditioner clean to avoid bringing any outside smoke into your home.

Those in the affected area should avoid using swamp coolers or whole house fans that could bring additional smoke inside.

MORE: Full list of evacuations, road closures, school information and more

For the Santa Clarita, San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys, the current forecast is moderate.

That means there may be a moderate health concern for a small number of people, for example those unusually sensitive to ozone or who suffer from chronic respiratory disease.

If you'd like to receive a customized air quality forecast, follow this link and enter your zip code.

There you'll find what the current air quality is in your neighborhood.

To sign up for air alerts, click here.