Smoke advisory issued for the Coachella Valley

The South Coast Air Quality Management Districtissued a smoke advisory today for the Coachella Valley and Banning Pass due toash and smoke from the 10,000-acre brush fire burning south of Banning.

The air quality could reach an unhealthy level, according to air qualityofficials, and residents should avoid vigorous outdoor activity, keep windowsand doors closed and run an air conditioner. People with respiratory or heartdisease, the elderly and children should remain indoors, according to the AQMD.

Smoke from the Silver Fire, which started Wednesday afternoon, has beenmoving down the Banning Pass into the Coachella Valley. Another blaze, theFalls Fire, is burning five miles west of Lake Elsinore.

The advisory also covers parts of Lake Elsinore, Hemet and the Perris,San Jacinto and Temecula valleys.

For more information, go to www.aqmd.gov.