Air Quality Alert

CAZ562-566-567-181900-
Imperial County Southwest-Imperial County West-Imperial Valley-
Including the cities of Mountain Spring, Coolidge Springs,
Salton City, Winona, Coyote Wells, Ocotillo, Plaster City,
El Centro, Calexico, Alamorio, and Brawley
826 AM PDT Fri May 16 2025

...AIR QUALITY ALERT DUE TO HARMFUL PARTICLE POLLUTION LEVELS FROM
WINDBLOWN DUST...

* WHAT...The Imperial County APCD has issued an air quality alert
due to harmful levels of particle pollution from windblown dust.

* WHERE...Imperial County Northwest, Imperial County Southwest,
Imperial Valley. Levels of particle pollution can vary by time and
location depending on emissions and local weather conditions.

* WHEN...Noon Saturday, May 17 to Noon Sunday May 18, 2025.

* IMPACTS... Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and
cause serious health problems such as asthma attacks, heart and lung
disease symptoms, and increased risk of lung infections. Everyone
can be affected, but sensitive groups such as people with lung or
heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children, and
those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To protect your health, check air quality levels and act as needed:

* When Air Quality Index (AQI) levels are "Unhealthy for Sensitive
 Groups" (orange), sensitive groups as specified above should limit
 extended or intense outdoor activity.
* When AQI is "Unhealthy" (red), everyone may experience health
 impacts. Sensitive groups should avoid extended time outdoors.
* When AQI is "Very Unhealthy" (purple), sensitive groups should
   avoid all outdoor physical activity. Everyone else should avoid
   extended or intense outdoor activity.
* When AQI is "Hazardous" (maroon), everyone should avoid all
   outdoor physical activity.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...

To help keep indoor air clean when air quality is poor:

* Keep windows and doors closed
* Run your air conditioner and/or an air purifier
* 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

To help minimize outdoor particle pollution levels:

* Carpool, telecommute, reduce trips, or take public transportation
* Slow down if driving on dirt roads
* Stabilize loose soils

To view current and forecast air quality within Imperial County
visit the Imperial County Air Quality website at
http://www.imperialvalleyair.org/ or follow ICAPCD on Twitter,
facebook or Instagram (@county_air).

$$