Health officials are urging residents in portions of western Riverside County to limit outdoor activities because of smoke and ash generated by the Canyon Fire in Corona.
The fire, which started Monday in the rugged wilderness near the Riverside-Orange county line, has grown to about 2,000 acres and sent up a large column of black smoke that can be seen throughout the region. Many residents in western Riverside County woke up Tuesday to neighborhoods covered in white ash that fell onto cars, settled into pools and onto sidewalks.
“Ash and smoke can be hard on anyone to breathe, but especially those with lung disease,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer. “Everyone worries about the flames, but smoke can impact you even if you’re miles away from the fire.”
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a smoke advisory for portions of Riverside and Orange counties, including the Corona/Norco and Lake Elsinore areas.
Among the precautions:
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Residents should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion.
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Those with respiratory or heart disease, older adults, and children should remain indoors.
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Windows and doors should be closed.
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Run your air conditioner if you have one and keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.
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Avoid using a swamp cooler or whole-house fan to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.
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To avoid worsening the health effects of smoke, don’t use indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces.
The fire could burn for several days, so residents can get updates on air quality by clicking on www.rivcoph.org and fire updates at www.fire.ca.gov