Inland Empire Air Alert Impacts Riverside

The National Weather Service said late Tuesday that an air quality alert would remain in effect for the San Bernardino and Riverside County valleys — the Inland Empire — until 9:45 p.m. Wednesday. The alert covers Riverside and nearby valley communities, according to the weather service’s zone forecast page. The warning was tied to harmful levels of fine-particle pollution from wildfire smoke, relayed by the National Weather Service from the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Wednesday’s forecast for the Inland Empire also called for hazy morning conditions and highs of 85 to 90 degrees. ### Which places are included in the alert? The National Weather Service listed the affected area as the San Bernardino and Riverside County valleys, identified on its forecast page as the Inland Empire. Riverside is within that zone, and the city’s Ready Riverside preparedness page says South Coast AQMD issues advisories when air quality is harmful locally. South Coast AQMD said it regulates air quality across all of Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. (sacbee.com) Its public air-quality pages include current readings, forecasts and advisory notices for those areas. ### What is driving the pollution warning? The alert message relayed by the National Weather Service said the concern was harmful fine-particle pollution due to wildfire smoke. Fine particles, commonly known as PM2.5, are a major component of smoke and can come from wildfires as well as vehicle exhaust, fireplaces and industry, according to the California Air Resources Board. (forecast.weather.gov) South Coast AQMD said in a May 18 smoke advisory that multiple wildfires were affecting air quality in parts of its jurisdiction. (aqmd.gov) The agency said it is responsible for air quality regulation in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley. ### Who is being told to be most careful? Ready Riverside says sensitive groups include active children and adults, elderly people and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma. (weatherusa.net) The city advises people to stay inside and inactive when air quality is harmful, and says sensitive groups should take extra precaution. South Coast AQMD says people should avoid or limit outdoor activities if they smell smoke or see ash, even in places not covered by a smoke advisory. (aqmd.gov) The agency’s advisory page also directs residents to wildfire smoke and ash health guidance. ### What are residents being asked to do on Wednesday? Riverside’s preparedness guidance says residents can help reduce pollution by driving less often, refueling vehicles after 6 p.m., limiting use of products that produce reactive fumes and using gas-powered lawn equipment after 6 p.m. (riversideca.gov) The city also advises keeping doors and windows closed and running air conditioning in circulation mode to keep polluted air out of the home. (aqmd.gov) South Coast AQMD says current air quality readings and forecasts are available on its website and by telephone through its 1-800-CUT-SMOG service. Its advisory page says residents can also sign up for email air alerts. ### Where can people check whether conditions are improving? South Coast AQMD’s current air-quality page says its hourly AQI map blends regulatory monitoring, low-cost sensors and forecast modeling to show neighborhood-scale conditions across 1,218 locations in its jurisdiction. (riversideca.gov) AirNow, the federal air-quality site, also provides local readings and a fire-and-smoke map focused on PM2.5 pollution. The National Weather Service forecast page for the Inland Empire continued to display the air quality alert early Wednesday, alongside the local weather forecast. (aqmd.gov) The alert is scheduled to expire at 9:45 p.m. Wednesday unless officials extend or update it. (forecast.weather.gov) (aqmd.gov)