Smoke from Line Fire impacting High Desert air quality
Smoke from the Line Fire that began in Highland on Thursday evening has impacted air quality in the High Desert.
On Saturday, the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District issued an air advisory for potentially poor air quality through at least Monday due to wildfire smoke.
The advisory may be extended depending on firefighting efforts and local weather conditions, the agency reported.
On Saturday afternoon, low-cost air quality sensors across the Victor Valley portion of the district’s jurisdiction showed an increase in PM2.5, the pollutant commonly found in wildfire smoke, agency officials stated.
Smoke from the Line Fire began moving up over the San Bernardino Mountains and laying down in and across the air quality management communities.
On Saturday afternoon, Cal Fire reported the Line Fire at about 7,122 acres, with 0% containment.
This is not good! The fire is pushing towards the 330 . I am just below the 1N09 trail. #breakingnews
Running Springs is now under evacuation order. #linefire pic.twitter.com/3YalKJm2oE— FirePhotoGirl (@FirePhotoGirl) September 7, 2024
Smoke from the fire could be seen drifting into the High Desert on Friday and increasing on Saturday as the fire continued to rage nearly 15 miles south of the Victor Valley.
CAL FIRE and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department officials said evacuation orders were issued for some mountain neighborhoods Saturday morning while others remained under evacuation warnings.
Air quality officials stated that increasing levels of smoke can affect everyone, but it’s particularly unhealthy for those with heart and respiratory illnesses, children, seniors and active adults.
In any area impacted by poor air quality including smoke:
Everyone should consider avoiding any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion.
People with respiratory or heart disease, older adults, and children should consider remaining indoors.
Keep windows and doors closed.
Running your air conditioner if you have one – recirculation function is ideal.
Avoid using a swamp cooler or whole-house fan to prevent bringing outdoor pollutants inside.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow website offers helpful tips to protect your health and that of those around you at airnow.gov/air-quality-and-health/fires-and-your-health/.
The Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District encourages residents to check local air quality levels by visiting AirNow.gov.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Smoke from Line Fire impacting High Desert air quality
