Smoke Blankets Laguna Niguel, But It's Not What You Think

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — Smoke from a series of wildfires in Central California blanketed the Southland California Thursday afternoon, prompting fire department authorities to implore people to stop calling 9-1-1 to report the smoke. The smoke reached Orange County's coastline shortly after noon Thursday.

Fire departments across the Southland reported being inundated with calls about the smoke. Residents should call 9-1-1 if they can identify the location of the fire but not to report general smoke, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.

That's because the smoke is from wildfires hundreds of miles to the north of the Southland.

"The bulk of the fires they are attributing it to are the Windy Fire as well as the KNP Complex Fire," said Humphrey. "Those fires are both in the central part of the state and are believed to be the source of a majority of the smoke."

By 3 p.m. Thursday, Los Angeles and Orange counties were awash in an Orange glow because wildfire smoke at high altitudes obscured the sun. At higher altitudes, the smoke is less likely to have as much of a health impact.

However, the flood of 9-1-1 calls, is having an impact on emergency dispatchers across the Southland. The calls reporting smoke are causing delays in getting through to emergency operators.

"Do not call 9-1-1 to ask questions," said Humphrey. "That's where we are getting beaten up today."

For example, said Humphrey, one person called 9-1-1 from LAX to report a brush fire 40 miles away in the San Gabriel Mountains, said Humphrey. However, the smoke was actually coming from Central California. There are currently no active fires known to be burning in the San Gabriel Mountains.

The National Weather Service is monitoring the situation to determine when a shift in pressure systems can be expected to help clear the air.

The South Coast Air Quality Control Management District, in the meantime, warned residents with heart and respiratory conditions to take precautions.

"Wildfires in central California are producing heavy smoke that is moving south towards the South Coast Air Basin. While the heaviest smoke will be present in the upper atmosphere across the region, impacts on surface air quality are expected in the San Bernardino, San Gabriel, and San Jacinto mountains.," warned the SCAQMD. "To help keep indoor air clean during periods of poor air quality, close all windows and doors and run your air conditioner and/or an air purifier. If possible, do not use whole house fans or swamp coolers that bring in outside air."