Wildfire pollution poses health threat

[Whoa_Nelly]

Source: AP

LOS ANGELES - Even as many of the wildfires in flame-ravaged Southern California died down and residents began returning home, lingering dust and soot-laden air made it difficult for many to breathe even a sigh of relief Saturday.

Air quality remained poor in the central San Bernardino Mountains and parts of the San Bernardino Valley, as well as swaths of Orange and Riverside Counties. In San Diego County, where only two of five major fires were more than 50 percent contained, the air was especially dismal Friday.

Satellite pictures showed thick smoke hanging over the entire region, affecting health of people all over Southern California.

Residents staying in areas with bad air were advised to avoid exerting themselves. Children and people with heart and respiratory conditions were urged to stay indoors with windows and doors closed and air conditioners on.

"In the immediate aftermath of a fire, we're all at risk of the fine particulate matter we can inhale," said Julia Robinson Shimizu, a spokeswoman for Breathe L.A. "In general it's good to limit outdoor strenuous activity at least seven days after the fires have ended."



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071027/ap_on_re_us/california_wildfires

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:hug: :grouphug: :hug: to all in SoCal.

Our air up here in the mid-San Joaquin Valley has been yellow/brown hazy for several days. But, what we are catching up here in our "bowl" is not even close to what all of you are having to deal with. :hug:

[aquart]

1. I could hear the wheeze in my BIL's laugh over the phone last night.

He was outside the most when they were packing to evacuate and after, and he's have the most problems now. They weren't burned, but Penasquitos is right next to Bernardo and Poway which were. The air is "gritty" according to my sister. And this is IN the house with the air conditioning on.

[frylock]

2. i drove past lake hodges last night..

the air quality in that area is terrible.

[EFerrari]

3. I've been worried about my friend because of this.

She is close to the fire zone and already has respiratory problems. :(

[uppityperson]

4. Yup, I hear the sunsets are spectaular also due to this.

kick and rec for continuing problems and take care of yourselves.

[kestrel91316]

5. Been coughing a few days. Now that the breezes are off the ocean

and the Malibu fire is contained, the air is nice and fresh today. It was cool and damp this morning, and it even rained for a minute. Cloudy and cool - YAYYYYYYY!!!!!

[Ellen Forradalom]

7. I didn't go running or swimming this week

I was just getting over a walloping upper-respiratory infection I imported from France when the fires broke out. I was not going to drive myself back into another week of coughing fits. Now that it's rained I feel much more comfortable going out.

BTW you're not far from me at all, if that's your zip in your username.

[kestrel91316]

8. That is indeed my ZIP (actually have relocated one ZIP west as of last week).

Your profile says Chicago but I assume you are now in LA.

[Dave From Canada]

6. Make the best of it, close your eyes and pretend you're living in Beijing.