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Times En Español + eNewspaper + News App: Apple IOS + News App: Google Play + Newsletters + Podcasts + YouTube * Real Estate (BUTTON) + Hot Property Sections + Place an Open House + Sotheby’s International Realty + Hot Property Sections + Place an Open House + Sotheby’s International Realty * Subscriptions (BUTTON) + Manage Subscription + EZPAY + Delivery Issue + eNewspaper + Subscribe + Subscriber Terms + Manage Subscription + EZPAY + Delivery Issue + eNewspaper + Subscribe + Subscriber Terms Copyright © 2019, Los Angeles Times | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy (BUTTON) Sections logo-full-black.svg * California * Entertainment & Arts * Sports * Food * Climate & Environment * Opinion * | * Place an Ad (BUTTON) Show Search ____________________Search Query (BUTTON) Submit Search Advertisement * Facebook * Twitter * Show more sharing options Share (BUTTON) Close extra sharing options * Facebook * Twitter * LinkedIn * Email * Copy Link URLCopied! * Print California Smoke from Saddleridge fire blankets L.A., bringing unhealthful air quality The 5 and 14 freeways were closed by the Saddleridge fire in Newhall on Friday. The 5 and 14 freeways were closed by the Saddleridge fire in Newhall on Friday. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times ) By Bettina BoxallStaff Writer Oct. 12, 2019 5:15 PM * Facebook * Twitter * Show more sharing options Share (BUTTON) Close extra sharing options * Facebook * Twitter * LinkedIn * Email * Copy Link URLCopied! * Print Most Angelenos can’t see the Saddleridge fire, but they have been breathing it as a dirty blanket of smoke settled over much of the city and raised air pollution levels. The South Coast Air Quality Management District on Saturday issued a health advisory, urging people to limit their exposure to the smoke by remaining indoors and avoiding vigorous physical activity. District monitors showed elevated levels of particle pollution throughout the San Fernando Valley, in the western areas of Los Angeles and coastal areas west of the 110 Freeway. In Santa Monica, the weekly farmers market and other outdoor events were canceled because of the smoke and poor air quality. Advertisement For Saturday, October 12th Smoke Advisory info surrounding the #SaddleridgeFire, visit https://t.co/Y158Op74tv pic.twitter.com/SHBsKt4DYi — South Coast AQMD (@SouthCoastAQMD) October 12, 2019 A shift in the winds Saturday night and Sunday morning could push the smoke across much of the Los Angeles Basin and eastward as far as the San Bernardino Valley. The health advisory was expected to remain in effect through Sunday morning. The fire is burning in hills bordering the northern edge of the San Fernando Valley. The fire’s growth slowed Saturday as winds diminished. As of Saturday evening, the fire had charred more than 7,900 acres and damaged or destroyed at least 31 buildings. It was 33% contained. Advertisement California Full coverage: Fires in Los Angeles and Riverside counties 469014_ME_1011_saddleridge_fire9_WJS.jpg California Full coverage: Fires in Los Angeles and Riverside counties By late morning Friday, the Saddleridge fire in the San Fernando Valley had exploded to 4,700 acres and burned 25 homes. See that haze above downtown Los Angeles? That's not the famed air pollution. That's smoke from the nearby fires! You can smell it in the air! Hope everyone is safe!!! pic.twitter.com/faYvuEBot9 — Rick Zahn (@rickzahnactor) October 12, 2019 California Saddleridge fire’s rapid spread left residents little time to get out 469014_ME_1011_saddleridge_fire9_WJS.jpg California Saddleridge fire’s rapid spread left residents little time to get out The Saddleridge fire ripped through the hills rimming the north edge of the San Fernando Valley, destroying 25 homes, closing freeways and forcing the evacuations of thousands. More Coverage Firefighters make significant progress against Saddleridge fire; all evacuation orders lifted Smoke from Saddleridge fire blankets L.A., bringing unhealthful air quality Los Angeles: Land of Smog and Fire Smoke 😬🙁 My sister just sent these pics pic.twitter.com/GKTvsqOb67 — Alex 🦋⚔️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@highspeedmerge) October 12, 2019 Smoke from wildfires contains extremely fine particles that can lodge in the lungs, potentially causing serious health problems. Here are some tips for dealing with wildfire smoke from the Environmental Protection Agency. Monitor air quality reports during a fire if you are: Advertisement * a person with heart or lung disease, such as heart failure, angina, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema or asthma. * an older adult, which makes you more likely to have heart or lung disease than younger people. * caring for children, including teenagers, because their respiratory systems are still developing, they breathe more air (and air pollution) per pound of body weight than adults, they’re more likely to be active outdoors, and they’re more likely to have asthma. * a person with diabetes, because you are more likely to have underlying cardiovascular disease. * a pregnant woman, because there could be potential health effects for both you and the developing fetus. High concentrations of smoke can trigger a range of symptoms. * Anyone may experience burning eyes, a runny nose, cough, phlegm, wheezing and difficulty breathing. * If you have heart or lung disease, smoke may make your symptoms worse. People with heart disease might experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath or fatigue. People with lung disease may not be able to breathe as deeply as usual and may experience coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing and shortness of breath. Support our journalism * Subscriptions make our reporting on wildfires and power outages possible. Get full access to our journalism for just 99 cents for the first four weeks. Already a subscriber? Your contribution helped tell this story. Thank you. Subscribe __________________________________________________________________ CaliforniaFires Newsletter Get our Essential California newsletter ____________________ (BUTTON) Subscribe Bettina Boxall Follow Us * twitter * instagram * email * facebook Bettina Boxall is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter who covers California water and the environment for the Los Angeles Times, where she has worked since 1987. More From the Los Angeles Times * California Newsletter: Greetings from the wine cave 476074_NA_PRESIDENTIAL-DEBATE_KKN_51423.JPG California Newsletter: Greetings from the wine cave The debates finally come to California. * California In 2019, homelessness truly felt like a crisis in every corner of L.A. 3081993_ME_0604_homeless_count_ results_GEM__ California In 2019, homelessness truly felt like a crisis in every corner of L.A. 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More Coverage Five takeaways from debate Recap and analysis * California Californians can now verify legal cannabis shops using QR codes Marijuana California Californians can now verify legal cannabis shops using QR codes The Bureau of Cannabis Control announced a program encouraging licensed cannabis retailers to post QR codes in their store windows that customers can scan with a smartphone. * California San Francisco woman offers $7,000 reward and hires plane in search of stolen dog Stolen Dog-Campaign California San Francisco woman offers $7,000 reward and hires plane in search of stolen dog A San Francisco woman has hired a plane to fly a banner with her dog’s information over the city in hopes of finding her stolen dog. * Politics Julián Castro tours L.A.'s skid row to talk about his housing plan 476064_ME_la-me-castro-skid-row_03.FO.jpg Politics Julián Castro tours L.A.'s skid row to talk about his housing plan On Wednesday, former Housing Secretary Julián Castro walked the streets of skid row in L.A., shaking hands and greeting people. * California L.A. takes step toward loosening rules on renting out homes for short stays 476076_ME_1219_airbnb_enforcement1_WJS.jpg California L.A. takes step toward loosening rules on renting out homes for short stays L.A. officials are exploring whether to ease the city’s ban on using second homes as short-term rentals. 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