OC Health Care Agency Issues Health Advisory as Smoke from Local Wildfires Causes Unhealthy Air Quality

(Santa Ana, CA)- The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has issued a health advisory due to smoke drift from local wildfires. The health advisory follows a Wildfire Smoke Advisory for parts of Southern California from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) which indicates unhealthy air quality for parts of Orange County (OC). The HCA is urging individuals in smoke impacted areas to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activity.

"Individuals with heart and respiratory diseases, older adults, children and pregnant women are among those who can be most directly affected by smoke exposure," said County Health Officer Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong. "Air pollution levels from the fire can change rapidly, depending on weather conditions, so we especially recommend that individuals in these higher-risk groups limit outdoor activity and physical exertion until the situation is over." Other recommendations include:

• Keeping the windows and doors in your home closed, and using your air conditioner on the re-circulate mode, if available. This will limit the intake of outdoor air and keep your home comfortable.
• Keeping your mouth and nasal passageways moist by drinking lots of water. This helps your body filter out potentially harmful particles in the smoke.
• Contacting your health provider if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue. People who have not been previously diagnosed with lung or heart disease may begin having problems in smoky conditions.
• Those with asthma should follow an asthma management plan, making sure to have at least a five-day supply of asthma medication on hand.

For more information on the smoke advisory visit the AQMD website at https://www.aqmd.gov.