Ash, Drift Smoke From Nearby Fires Impact San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, CA — Ash and drift smoke from nearby wildfires impacted some residents Tuesday in San Diego County.

Cal Fire San Diego received reports of ash on vehicles Tuesday morning in North County. Drift smoke also blanketed the air.

"A significant amount of drift smoke is in the air from the fires to our north," Cal Fire San Diego said on social media. "This morning, we received reports of ash on vehicles in North County and surrounding communities. There is currently no threat to San Diego County from these fires."

The ash was likely from the Airport Fire, which broke out Monday afternoon on Trabuco Creek Road in Orange County, according to Orange County Fire Authority. By Tuesday morning, the blaze had blackened 8,510 acres and prompted evacuation orders and warnings throughout the foothills dividing Orange and Riverside counties.

A fire on Camp Pendleton was also adding to the smoky conditions in San Diego County.

The 1,000-acre blaze, called the Roblar Fire, sparked Saturday in the northeastern reaches of the military base. As of Tuesday afternoon, crews from Cal Fire and Camp Pendleton Fire Department had the fire 51% contained, according to base officials.

On Monday, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District issued a smoke advisory and said the fire would likely continue to burn throughout Tuesday. The blaze on Camp Pendleton was contributing to changes in air quality for communities south and east of Camp Pendleton, including Bonsall, Carlsbad, Fallbrook, Oceanside and Vista.

"In areas of heavy smoke near the fire, assume that air quality levels are unhealthy for sensitive groups to unhealthy for all individuals," the air district said. "In areas with minor smoke impacts, assume that air quality levels range from moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups."

The air quality index was at a "moderate" level Tuesday for most of the county, meaning people who are unusually sensitive should go inside to cleaner air if symptoms arise, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The air district advised residents near the affected communities and those who smell smoke to limit physical and outdoor activity. People should stay indoors, if possible, to limit their exposure to fine particulate matter and ozone, especially people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children.