12-Foot Waves, Poor Air Quality In Dana Point Tuesday: Advisory

DANA POINT, CA — Look out, Dana Point: high surf and poor air quality are forecasted for the next several days, according to the National Weather Service.

According to the NWS, Dana Point residents can expect large breaking waves of five to eight feet in Orange County, with local sets to 12 feet on west-facing beaches.

As a result of the surf conditions, the National Weather Service issued a High Surf Advisory until 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Residents were urged to be aware of potentially hazardous surfing and swimming conditions.

In addition, residents can expect localized beach erosion and overflow.

"Despite relatively low astronomical tides, high surf may produce minor flooding of low-lying areas along the beach, such as beach parking lot," the NWS said.

Inexperienced swimmers were urged to keep away from the surf while the advisory is in effect.

"It is extremely dangerous to fish or observe waves from exposed coastal structures or rocks during high surf conditions," weather officials said. "Swimming or surfing in these waves may be dangerous for anyone due to the powerful waves and strong rip currents."

In addition, poor air quality prompted South Coast Air Quality Management District to issue a No Burn Order across Orange County, including in Dana Point.

The No-Burn Order starts Monday and ends Tuesday evening, according to the SCAQMD.

The order prohibits indoor and outdoor wood burning due to a forecast of high pollution in the area.

The wood-burning ban will be in effect through 11:59 p.m. Saturday for all those in the South Coast Air Basin, which includes the non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and all of Orange County.

However, the order does not apply to mountain communities above 3,000 feet, the Coachella Valley or the high desert. Homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households and households without natural gas service are also not included in the order.

The no-burn rule prohibits burning wood as well as manufactured fire logs made from wax or paper.

Gas and other non-wood burning fireplaces are not restricted, the SCAQMD said.
Fine particles in wood smoke, also known as particulate matter or PM2.5, can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory problems such as asthma.

Residents can receive no-burn day notifications by signing up for Air Alerts via email or text at www.AirAlerts.org.