Hebrew News – Millions of residents in Southern California under a polluted air warning

Millions of people in Southern California were advised to limit outdoor activity and avoid wood burning on Thursday due to concerns about poor air quality.

The burn ban has been extended throughout the South Coast Basin, which includes Orange County and the non-desert areas of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

The ban prohibits the burning of wood, including wood pallets and logs, both indoors and outdoors.

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The ban does not apply to areas above 3,000 feet and homes that rely on wood as the sole heating source, as well as low-income homes that do not have natural gas service.

The ban and air quality alert are in effect until midnight Thursday for the entire South Coast Basin.

The no burning rule is enforced because smoke particles can enter people’s lungs and cause breathing problems.

“Burn ban days are necessary to protect public health when high levels of fine particulate matter pollution are expected everywhere in the South Coastal Basin,” the National Weather Service alert said.

It was noted that burn ban days are implemented based on forecasts of fine particle pollution levels over a 24-hour period, which may not be reflected in real-time air quality maps.

The agency recommends that residents limit their outdoor activities and keep windows and doors closed when the air quality is poor.

Residents were also advised to turn on air conditioners and air purifiers, and to avoid using devices that bring in air from the outside.

California suffers from some of the worst air quality problems in the United States, due in part to its high population density, hot weather, frequent wildfires, and high human-caused emissions.

The state has implemented a number of measures to address air quality problems, such as introducing stricter emission standards for vehicles and promoting clean energy alternatives.

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