Los Angeles Under Air-Quality Alert Due To Colby Fire [Photos]
The residents of the city of Los Angeles are under an air-quality alert as a result of the Colby fire, northeast of the city.
Los Angeles County public health officials issued the warning on Friday, as crews continue to battle the fire which has displaced about 2,000 residents who have been ordered to evacuate.
The fire started early Thursday morning and so far has destroyed 1,709 acres and five homes in the Glendora area, according to officials.
Overnight, firefighters were able to hold the lines preventing the fire to spread and keeping containment at 30 percent.
However, Azusa Police Lt. Paul Dennis said the mandatory evacuation orders would remain in effect indefinitely as the situation was extremely dangerous, with falling rocks affecting Highway 39.
Crews — made up of over 1,000 firefighters — were working on containing the Los Angeles fire, which was started by an illegal campfire.
“Overall, we had much success with the weather giving us the opportunity to fight aggressively and make a stand,” Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Keith Mora said Friday.
Nine helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft were helping to control the flames, while bulldozers were reinforcing and cutting containment lines around the blaze, Mora added.
The fire was ignited along the Glendora Mountain Road and was fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, which are a normal occurrence this time of year.
Los Angeles County public health officials also warned Friday that the Colby fire has also created poor air-quality conditions in the San Gabriel Valley and Pomona.
Some reports that the plume of smoke from the Colby fire in Los Angeles has reached the Pacific Ocean were posted on Twitter:
Plume from #Colbyfire reaches Pacific Ocean — prompts air quality advisories http://t.co/o8ghBkBy6C pic.twitter.com/Sus8RyIu3p
— Marc Martin (@latpix) January 16, 2014
Others shared the spectacular view of the clouds rising above the city of Los Angeles.
Bad air quality. ? @CitySkyIinePics Incredible scene of #ColbyFire plume rising above Los Angeles skyline pic.twitter.com/qm1ooiltgP
— Riggins Construction (@RigginsConst) January 16, 2014
That plume of smoke from the #ColbyFire is causing raft of air quality alerts –> http://t.co/jTPUEjDACi pic.twitter.com/KyZtaB4q7k
— L.A. Times: L.A. Now (@LANow) January 16, 2014
Smoke from #ColbyFire is visible from space (PHOTOS) http://t.co/X9hbOgXc4f
— Huffington Post LA (@HuffPostLA) January 17, 2014
Authorities in Los Angeles are warning residents to avoid “unnecessary” outdoor activities in areas in which there is smoke odor.
Schools in the affected areas were also urged to suspend outside recess, sports, and other physical activities until conditions improve.
The warning extends for people with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory disease throughout Los Angeles County, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“It is difficult to tell where ash or soot from a wildfire will go, or how winds will affect the level of dust particles in the air, so we ask all individuals to be aware of their immediate environment and how it might affect their health,” Los Angeles Public Health Director Jonathan Fielding said in a statement.
