Note:  the Health Advisory has been cancelled, see this page.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2003

Reissued:  October 28, 2003

In effect:  October 26-29

CONTACT:
Bobbie Bratz, 805.455.6403
 

HEALTH ADVISORY  

Harmful Smoke from Southern California Fires

GOLETA, CA —Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) today issued a health advisory for people living in areas affected by smoke from the fires burning in Ventura, Los Angeles, and Riverside Counties. The APCD recommends that adults and children in areas affected by smoke avoid outdoor activity, and stay indoors as much as possible. Smoke irritates the eyes, nose and throat, and is harmful to breathe, posing a special risk to adults and children with asthma or other respiratory diseases. APCD recommends that people consult their physicians if their symptoms worsen.

Said APCD Director Doug Allard: "Smoke is harmful to our lungs. We ask that everyone in areas affected by this smoke stay indoors, and avoid outside activities."

The weather patterns causing these conditions are expected to continue through Wednesday or later.

For more information on smoke impacts, see www.airquality.org/smokeimpact, a web page developed for the public by the California Air Pollution Control Officer's Association.  The page lists the health impacts of smoke and protective measures, and includes links to air quality forecasts, fire status information and satellite photos. 

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