Air Quality Alert: Franklin Fire Causes Unhealthy Air Across LA County

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA — Smoke billowing over Los Angeles and Ventura counties from the Franklin Fire in Malibu has prompted officials to issue an air quality alert for the region.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued the alert just after 10 a.m. on Tuesday as the fire in Malibu raged on. The warning went out for Malibu, northwest coastal L.A. County, parts of the San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica, downtown L.A. and nearby cities like Downey and Long Beach.

The alert will be active until at least 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The particles in wood and wildfire smoke can get deep into the lungs and cause serious respiratory issues such as asthma, heart attacks, strokes and difficulty breathing. Anyone can be affected but those with existing lung or heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk, according to the NWS.

Officials offered the following tips to stay safe:

• Remain indoors with windows and doors closed.
• Avoid intense outdoor physical activity.
• Run your air conditioner and/or an air purifier.
• If you must be outdoors, keep the time brief and wear a well-fitting N-95 mask.
• Do not use whole-house fans or swamp coolers that bring in outside air if you have other methods to stay cool.
• Avoid other sources of pollution such as fireplaces, candles, incense, grilling and gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment

As the Franklin Fire raged on Tuesday, the county was still under a rare "Particularly Dangerous Situation" red flag warning by national forecasters.

The warning is expected to lift at 2 p.m. on Tuesday but could be extended as powerful wind gusts and dry air persist.

"This event has the potential to be as strong as the November 5th-6th Santa Ana event that led to the Mountain Fire. Prepare for fire weather by ensuring you have defensible space and creating a plan in case of evacuation. Any new fire will grow rapidly, likely exhibiting extreme fire behavior," NWS said on Tuesday.

The Franklin Fire exploded overnight in Malibu, growing from 5 acres to over 2,200 acres in just a matter of hours amid the Santa Ana winds, authorities said.

The blaze was initially reported at 10:50 p.m. Monday as a 5-acre brush fire at Malibu Canyon Road, but by 8 a.m. Tuesday it was more than 2,200 acres and had yet to be contained, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a morning press conference.

"We knew that this event was coming," Marrone said. "We seem to get one significant wildfire every time we have a strong Santa Ana event in Southern California.”

READ MORE ABOUT THE FRANKLIN FIRE:

• Homes Destroyed, Thousands Evacuated As Franklin Fire Reaches 2,200 Acres
• 15 Surreal Photos Show The Franklin Fire Burning In Malibu
• Malibu Fire Road Closures: Franklin Fire Shuts Down PCH
• Malibu Man Stays Behind To Defend Homes From Franklin Fire: Report