Smoke from the Soledad Fire has created unhealthy air quality for the Santa Clarita Valley, prompting officials with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to issue a Smoke Advisory for the area.

Officials with the South Coast Air Quality Management District have placed the Santa Clarita Valley’s Air Quality Index (AQI) value at 156 for Monday afternoon, meaning that air in the valley is unhealthy for all individuals.

This increase in the valley’s AQI is attributed to smoke produced by the nearby Soledad Fire, prompting county officials to issue a Smoke Advisory for both the Santa Clarita Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains.

“It is difficult to tell where smoke, ash or soot from a fire will go, or how winds will affect the level of these particles in the air, so we ask everyone to remember that smoke and ash can be harmful to health, even for people who are healthy,” said Dr. Muntu Davis, health officer for Los Angeles County. 

Air Quality Forecast for the Santa Clarita Valley. Courtesy of the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Public health officials describe wildfire smoke as a mixture of small particles, gases, and water vapor. These small particles can reportedly cause burning eyes, runny noses, scratchy throats, headaches, and illnesses such as bronchitis. 

See Related: Soledad Fire In Canyon Country Breaks Out Near Soledad Canyon

Additionally, the unhealthy air can cause difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, fatigue, and chest pain for more sensitive individuals. 

“If you can see smoke, soot, or ash, or you can smell smoke, pay attention to your immediate environment and take precautions to safeguard your health,” Davis said. “These precautions are particularly important for children, older adults, and people with heart or lung diseases.” 

Air quality for the Santa Clarita Valley is forecast to return to normal by 9 p.m. Monday, according to officials.

For a full list of actions that public health officials recommend you take during a period of unhealthy air, click here.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.