Ryan ChartrandThe San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) warned the surrounding area of San Luis Obispo to take precautions when being outside because of smoke and dust in the air.
The foul air conditions are due to the fires in Southern California, along with remaining dust left by the Zaca Fire.
The nearest fire, the Sedgwick Fire in the Santa Ynez Valley, started Sunday morning and will be contained soon if winds continue to cooperate, Cal Fire officials said. The smoke is blowing through the San Luis Obispo area by high-velocity east and south winds.
A red-flag warning has been issued in the San Luis Obispo County interior valleys for high winds.
“There are 16 fires as far south as San Diego, ranging from Orange County to L.A. County,” said Stacey Salazar, communications operator for Cal Fire of San Luis Obispo.
“There is also a fire on Highway 154 by Los Padres.”
The health advisory cautions residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activity and to remain indoors over the next couple of days.
“There is certainly a very high concentration of particulates due to the fires. We advise even healthy adults – those who don’t have respiratory issues – not to be outside,” said Larry Allen, director at the San Luis Obispo County APCD.
It is recommended to use common sense when planning and spending time outdoors because of the high volume of airborne dust and smoke.
The elderly, young children, and residents with respiratory issues are encouraged to stay inside. There are already community members affected by the smoke.
“For now, if you can smell it (smoke), you are breathing it. We have been getting a lot of calls complaining of watery eyes and other impacts the air is having on people,” Allen said.
Allen cautions residents of San Luis Obispo to wait for the air to clear over the next few days before resuming activity if no physical symptoms occur.
The Santa Ana winds are coming through San Luis Obispo, meaning that the air quality could be low until Thursday.