The Orange County and Santa Ana Mountains area is under an updated air quality alert which was reported by the National Weather Service on Friday at 3:49 p.m. The alert is in effect until Sunday March 8, at 7 a.m.

The full list of affected locations includes:

Santa Ana Mountains/Foothills
Orange County
San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys
Riverside County Mountains
Coachella Valley
San Gorgonio Pass Near Banning

Air quality alerts: Recommendations from the NWS San Diego CA

When an air quality alert is in effect, following the NWS guidance is pivotal. Here are some simple tips from the NWS for safeguarding your well-being:

Prioritize indoor stay:

If possible, remain indoors, especially if you have respiratory issues, other health concerns, or fall within the senior or child demographics.

Trim outdoor activities to essentials:

When venturing outside becomes unavoidable, limit your outdoor exposure strictly to essential tasks. Reducing your time outdoors is the name of the game.

Tackle pollution sources:

Be mindful of activities that increase pollution, like driving cars, operating gas-powered lawnmowers, or using motorized vehicles. Limit their usage during air quality alerts.

A ban on open burning:

Avoid burning debris or any other materials during air quality alerts. This contributes to worsened air quality.

Stay informed:

Keep yourself informed by tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio or your preferred weather news station. Staying in the know ensures that you can make informed decisions about outdoor activities during air quality alerts.

Prioritize respiratory health:

If you grapple with respiratory issues or underlying health problems, exercise added caution. These conditions can render you more susceptible to the adverse effects of compromised air quality.

By adhering to the advice from the NWS, you can enhance your safety during air quality alerts while reducing your exposure to potentially harmful pollutants. Stay aware, stay protected, and make your health a top priority.

For more local weather alerts, visit our Weather Advisory page