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Cranston Fire smoke advisory extended through Monday AM

Published July 31, 2018 10:57 AM

A smoke advisory was issued Wednesday following the start of the Cranston Fire by South Coast Air Quality Management District. It has since been extended to last until Monday morning while air quality remains unhealthy for areas in Riverside County, including Perris Valley, Anza, Hemet, San Jacinto Valley, Banning Pass, and Coachella Valley.

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SCAQMD advises the following to protect yourself during a wildfire:

Limit exposure to smoke by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed. Avoid vigorous physical activity. Run the A/C and check to see if your air filter is clean. Make sure it is recirculating indoor air to prevent bringing smoke indoors. Avoid using a whole-house fan or swamp cooler. Do not use indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces and candles.

Those most vulnerable to wildfire smoke include older adults, young children, pregnant women, and people with heart diseases or lung issues (such as asthma).

SCAQMD says to not rely on dust masks for protection from dangerous particles and gases found in wildfire smoke. They recommend disposable respirators like N-95 or P-100 respirators for additional protection. You can find more information on these devices on SCAQMD’s website .

SCAQMD recommends additional precautions after wildfires have been contained. Ash particles are larger than smoke particles. It’s recommended that if you have heart or lung problems, avoid cleaning up ash or soot. If you must clean, avoid leaf blowers and use vacuums with HEPA filters. Take time to wash cars, toys, and pets to get rid of residual particles.