Air quality at hazardous levels in foothill cities

The Angeles National Forest fire has reduced air quality to hazardous levels in foothill communities in the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys, officials say.

The cities of Altadena, La Cañada Flintridge and La Crescenta are directly affected by the smoke, as are the Los Angeles communities of Tujunga and Sunland.

The area Sunday recorded an air Quality index of 398. Anything above 100 is considered unhealthful, officials said.

"It's been a long time since we've recorded an [index] of this high a level," said Sam Atwood, spokesman for the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Dense smoke tends to settle into valleys when there is no wind. Some of the smoke was expected to be swept into the mountains by ocean breezes this morning, Atwood said.

"It's really time for people with heart and lung disease -- bronchitis, asthma, emphysema -- to think about leaving to a less smoky area," Atwood said.

-- Corina Knoll

Photo: Jennifer DeLeon of Littlerock works to keep a mask on the face of her 8-month-old daughter, Emily Magana, as they prepare to board the 206 Metrolink Train at the Vincent Grade-Acton Station early Monday morning for a doctor's appointment in downtown Los Angeles. The mask was provided by a Metrolink supervisor.

Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

Photos: Southland wildfires

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Comments

[lizzo]

Altadena is not a city.

[Dale]

Some of the worst air in the San Gabriel Valley has been inside Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. We have a loved one at Huntington with a Heart/Lung condition and we're quite concerned about the smoke INSIDE Huntington Hospital. As we visit her twice a day our own lungs have been exposed to some poor air quality and this must be dangerous for both patients and staff.

[G]

And where would this less smokey area be? Temecula? Or will the wind shift be a problem there since its already affecting Las Vegas, NV.

[John Evola]

Dale....what are you trying to say ...it's the fault of the hospital? You really don't sound reasonable...get a life.

[Michelle]

Altadena is a city according to the post office and probably those who live there as well.

[Melinda]

John Evola, that's a heck of a nice way to talk to someone who has a loved one in the hospital. My interpretation was that they were concerned (validly so) that the air inside the hospital is unhealhty, not that it's the hospital's fault for the fire. Please, why don't YOU get some common decency. If you don't like how someone says something, fair enough. But there's no excuse for rudeness.

[Niall]

The first commenter is correct. Both Altadena and La Crescenta are unincorporated communities within Los Angeles County. Neither place legally or functionally exists as a city as far as local governance is concerned. There is no city council, no municipal budget, no administrative staff, etc.

And I believe the air quality official was referring only to the communities nearest the fire when he advised people to move to a "less smoky area". E.g., people in Altadena or Montrose should think about going somewhere in southern LA County where the smoke and ash are less dense.

[Malka]

The air quality is a problem for everyone is northeast Los Angeles as well as San Gabriel Valley. I live in Eagle Rock and the smoke is a nightmare for us as well. Though, of course, nothing compared to what those in the fire areas are going through. I'm not sure there is anywhere in Los Angeles right now that would have decent air quality. May be the beach cities.