Smoke from the multiple wildfires in San Diego County is negatively affecting the air above parts of San Bernardino County was warned by the air quality officials on Saturday.

The Santa Ana winds out of the northeast caused the flames to spread rapidly and pushed smoke over the Pacific Ocean when the wildfires first erupted Tuesday and Wednesday. Thereafter, the wind shifted and the blowing wildfire smoke northeast from San Diego County to Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties later in the week.

The unhealthy air existed in the central San Bernardino Mountains, the Perris valley and near Lake Elsinore according to update from the South Coast Air Quality Management District at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The AQMD have classified the surrounding areas of the regions like the central and east San Bernardino Valley, the east San Bernardino Mountains and areas near Hemet, Temecula and the Coachella Valley to be unhealthy air for sensitive people – such as infants, elders and those with respiratory illnesses.

A news release on Saturday was issued by the air quality district advising people in areas who are directly affected by the smoke to refrain from vigorous outdoor activities and recommended closing of doors and windows.

“All individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke,” the news release explained. “This includes areas where residents can see or smell smoke.”

The agency says on its website that the South Coast AQMD is the air pollution control agency for the urban portions of San Bernardino, Riverside and Los Angeles counties and all of Orange County.

via Wildfire Smoke Affecting San Diego’s Air Quality | American News.