Air quality will be compromised today in Ventura County as a result of the Camarillo Springs fire and dust kicked up by Santa Ana winds.

The county Air Pollution Control District issued an advisory this morning urging all residents in areas with blowing dust, smoke and ash to use caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities.

Meteorologist Kent Field said residents in those areas should avoid vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion and that children, elderly individuals and people with respiratory or heart disease should stay indoors. Smoke and ash from the fire is considered unhealthy in and downwind of the fire.

Field said he sent the advisory to schools and care facilities for children and the elderly.

“This is just a caution even for healthy people,” said the manager of the district’s air monitoring division. “If you smell smoke you probably need to curtail your activity and do something else.”

Air quality will range from moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups, depending on location, he said.

Field said areas susceptible to poor air quality include territory from Camarillo to the eastern edge of Ventura, the Santa Clara River Valley, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks.

Field said he doesn’t expect improvement in air quality Friday.

via Air quality advisory issued due to fire, dust » Ventura County Star.