VCAPCD Smoke Advisory for Monday, December 11th, 2017
The Thomas Fire started on the evening of Monday, December 4th, 2017 near Highway 150 north of Santa Paula. As of 8 a.m. on December 11th, it has now burned 173,000 acres and is 15% contained. This fire is wind driven from a strong Santa Ana wind event and is causing heavy smoke in the plume and downwind of the fire in and around the cities of Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Paula, and Ojai. Offshore winds will dominate most of the day. However, there may be brief periods of onshore winds, especially in the afternoon. Active fire is burning above Fillmore and as far west as Santa Barbara County. Because of the location of the active fire and shifting winds, smoke concentration levels could change constantly throughout the day in any given area.
Smoke impacts from these devastating fires are widespread. Air quality should be considered unhealthy in areas directly impacted by smoke. In the Ojai Valley and surrounding areas, the air quality is very unhealthful, even reaching hazardous levels at times. Hazardous is defined by the EPA as "Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.”
If you are in an area directly impacted by smoke, please exercise extreme caution and avoid vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion. People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors. Run your air conditioner if you have one. Keep the filter clean and fresh air intake closed. Close all windows and doors that lead outside to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. If this is not an option or it becomes extremely hot inside, please seek alternate shelter.
For more information about the fire:
This Advisory will be updated as necessary. If you have air quality questions, please call (805) 662-6960.
Links for more information:
For further information on the health effects of smoke:
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