Wildfire Smoke Triggers Smoke Advisory For Parts Of San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, CA — Smoke from a wildfire north of the U.S.-Mexico border has triggered a smoke advisory for parts of the region.

The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District issued a smoke advisory for southwestern San Diego County, including Otay Mesa and surrounding areas.

The blaze, called the Border 2 Fire, broke out around 2:30 p.m. Thursday in a remote area near Otay Mountain Truck Trail, west of Doghouse Junction in the Otay Mountain Wilderness Area, according to Cal Fire San Diego. As of Friday morning, the fire had scorched 4,250 acres and was 10% contained.

• Also see: Border 2 Fire Forces Evacuations, Closures Near U.S.-Mexico Border

"As of Friday morning, wind is blowing the smoke toward the west and depositing ash on the ground in some communities in the South Bay area," the air district said Friday. "Winds are forecast to decrease later in the morning and shift direction, blowing east and northeast by early this afternoon. This change may cause smoke impacts in areas east and northeast of Otay Mountain, including Dulzura and Jamul. Winds are expected to blow the smoke towards the east-northeast through early Friday evening."

Smoke impacts at ground level are likely in areas near and to the west and southwest of the fire through Friday morning, according to the district.

The 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 residents with respiratory or heart disease, children and the elderly.

• Also see: Otay Mountain Fire: See Border 2 Fire Perimeter, Evacuation Map

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