{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.8299da9a630a4a1d74481ad3177c7e65bfcac86a.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued May 18 at 7:18PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-05-18","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.8299da9a630a4a1d74481ad3177c7e65bfcac86a.001.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA"},"word_count":304,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued May 18 at 7:18PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA\n\n**Severity:** Unknown\n**Certainty:** Unknown\n**Urgency:** Unknown\n**Areas:** Eastern San Fernando Valley; Eastern San Gabriel Mountains; Eastern Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area; Interstate 5 Corridor; Los Angeles County Beaches; Los Angeles County Inland Coast including Downtown Los Angeles; Los Angeles County San Gabriel Valley; Palos Verdes Hills; Santa Clarita Valley; Santa Susana Mountains; Western San Fernando Valley; Western San Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 Corridor; Western Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area\n**Issued by:** NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA\n**Sent:** 2026-05-18T19:18:00-07:00\n**Effective:** 2026-05-18T19:18:00-07:00\n**Expires:** 2026-05-19T19:00:00-07:00\n\n## Description\n* WHAT...The South Coast AQMD has issued an air quality alert due to\nincreased fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke.\nVisit https://www.aqmd.gov/alertinfo to check current and forecasted\nair quality levels.\n\n* WHERE...most of LA County and all of Orange County. Levels of\nparticle pollution can vary by time and location depending on fire\nactivity and local weather conditions.\n\n* WHEN...until Tuesday evening.\n\n* IMPACTS...Particles in wildfire smoke can get deep into the lungs\nand cause serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes,\nasthma attacks, and difficulty breathing. Everyone can be affected,\nbut people with lung or heart disease, older adults, people who are\npregnant, children, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are\nat greater risk.\n\n## Instructions\nTo protect your health, if you smell or see smoke:\n\n* Remain indoors with windows and doors closed\n* Avoid intense outdoor physical activity\n* Run your air conditioner and/or an air purifier\n* If you must be outdoors, keep the time brief and wear a well-\nfitting N-95 mask\n* Do not use whole house fans or swamp coolers that bring in\noutside air if you have other methods to stay cool\n* Avoid other sources of pollution such as fireplaces, candles,\nincense, grilling, and gasoline-powered lawn and garden\nequipment"}