Air quality warning issued for San Diego County due to Southern California wildfires – NBC 7 San Diego

Several wildfires north of San Diego County prompted the National Weather Service to issue an air quality warning for most of the county on Wednesday.

Smoke from the wildfires could cause fine particulate matter at least until Thursday morning, when the warning for the county’s mountains and valleys is expected to end. That could pose a problem for people with respiratory problems such as asthma and the elderly, according to NBC 7 meteorologists.

“If you smell smoke or see ash from a wildfire, stay indoors and close windows and doors, or seek alternative shelter if possible,” the NWS said. “Avoid strenuous physical activity and turn on your air conditioning and/or an air purifier.”

Air quality concerns impact outdoor activities and youth sports in San Diego

Some sports clubs in the county were so concerned about air quality that they canceled outdoor practices even before the NWS issued a warning.

Seth Tunick is the coach of the Crusaders Soccer Club. His soccer league has about 1,500 children ages 4 to 18. He says soccer practice was canceled on Wednesday because the health of his players is his top priority.

“Training is very strenuous,” Tunick said. “We don’t know what’s in the air, and we have to assume that the air quality and the heat they’re running around in is going to have a negative impact on their health, so we think it’s best not to let them play.”

Some sports teams were so concerned about the poor air quality that they canceled outdoor practices even before the National Weather Service issued an alert. NBC 7’s Jeanette Quezada spoke with a concerned coach in San Carlos.

Air quality experts believe that the worrying fine dust pollution is caused by dust from the fires being stirred up by the wind.

“Air quality also depends on the weather. And we have winds that are pulling pollution from the wildfires into the San Diego area,” said Glory Dolphin Hammes of IQ Air North America.

The NWS says exposure to these particles can cause serious health problems and increase the risk of respiratory infections. Pollution levels can vary hourly and by location depending on fire behavior and local weather conditions, the agency said.

What fires are raging in Southern California?

San Diego emergency crews are helping to battle several wildfires in the north that have devastated more than 40,000 acres of land.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange and Riverside counties because of the fires. He had already declared a state of emergency for San Bernardino County on Monday because of the Line Fire.

Here it burns:

Los Angeles County

The Bridge Fire in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties is the largest active fire in California, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. It has triggered evacuation orders for surrounding residential areas and destroyed dozens of homes.

The fire has burned more than 50,000 acres and was 0% contained as of 6:50 p.m. Wednesday.

Orange County

The airport fire in Trabuco Canyon in Orange County expanded to more than 23,000 acres and was 5% contained by Wednesday night.

The fire, which was first reported on Monday, has now also affected Riverside County, according to Cal Fire.

Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for several communities. Two people were injured, while 10 firefighters were treated for minor injuries.

San Bernardino County

The Line Fire has burned more than 36,000 acres and was 18% contained as of Wednesday evening, threatening about 65,600 structures in the area.

A man was arrested on suspicion of starting a fire that spread unchecked to the Line Fire.

San Diego County

The Roblar Fire, which broke out over the weekend, has burned 1,000 acres near Camp Pendleton.

According to Cal Fire, the fire was 100% contained by Wednesday evening.