Wildfire Smoke Triggers Smoke Advisory For Parts Of San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, CA — Smoke from a wildfire in eastern San Diego County triggered a smoke advisory for parts of the region.

The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District issued a smoke advisory Tuesday for East County, including the eastern portion of Lakeside and the northeast portion of El Cajon and Alpine.

The blaze, called the Monte Fire, sparked shortly before 3 p.m. Tuesday in the 15000 block of El Monte Road, just east of El Monte County Park in Lakeside, according to Cal Fire. As of 7 p.m., the blaze had burned 340 acres and was 10% contained.

• Also see: Brush Fire Burns Over 300 Acres, Forces Evacuations In Lakeside

"As of Tuesday afternoon, the smoke is blowing to the east, towards Alpine," the air district said. "Winds will weaken overnight but continue to blow towards the east. Smoke may fall close to the ground in some communities near Lakeside, Alpine and Descanso. By early Wednesday morning, winds may shift and could blow the smoke to the north, towards San Diego County Estates and Ramona."

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: Lakeside Fire Map: See Monte Fire Perimeter, Evacuation Areas

"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."