[SCAQMD advisory text] SCAQMD advises that in areas impacted by the fire, where residents can see or smell smoke – individuals should avoid outdoor exposure and activity if possible.

Areas of direct smoke impacts and poor air quality may include:

• Portions of south coastal areas of Los Angeles County including Carson, Long Beach, Wilmington, Signal Hill, Lakewood, Cerritos, Artesia, and Hawaiian Gardens;
• Portions of southwest coastal areas of Los Angeles County including Commerce, Compton, Bell Gardens, Downey, Paramount, Bellflower, La Mirada and portions of Cerritos, Whittier, Montebello and Pico Rivera; and
• Portions of the north coastal areas of Orange County including Seal Beach, Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa.
• With the sea breeze this morning, more on-shore areas may also experience smoke.

In any area impacted by smoke:

Everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors. Keep windows and doors closed or seek alternate shelter. Run your air conditioner if you have one. Do not use a swamp cooler or whole-house fan to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.

Paper or surgical masks do not adequately protect the wearer from smoke...

To view current air quality conditions by region in an interactive map, see this link

For more tips on avoiding health impacts from smoke, see this link.

In the 9 a.m. hour Sept. 23, LBREPORT.com began receiving reports of a "burning plastic" type smell from residents from Bellflower/Wardlow to Palo Verde/Atherton...Bellflower/Del Amo and (a few miles west) at Wardlow/Atlantic.

The Long Beach Fire Dept. has forwarded the following release by City Manager Pat West:

[LBFD release text] -- The wharf fire in the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) is having impacts on Long Beach. Our Fire Department has responded to calls for mutual aid and has sent resources to assist. The POLA fire is underneath a warehouse on the wharf, and is very difficult to extinguish due to the building materials and location. The Fire Department was requested to assist last night and the fire continues to burn in some sections this morning. Long Beach Fire Department continues to operate at the fire and the operation is expected to continue throughout the day. The Long Beach Police Department was requested for perimeter security.

Additionally, smoke from the Fire is impacting Port of Long Beach operations. Three (3) out of the six (6) cargo container terminals in the Port of Long Beach have shut down operations due to smoke plumes from the Port of LA fire.

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services is issuing a smoke advisory today for portions of coastal and West Long Beach due to the wharf fire. In any area impacted by smoke or the smell of smoke, residents should avoid any vigorous outdoor activity. This is especially advised for residents with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children who should all remain indoors today in these impacted areas. Windows and doors in impacted areas should be kept closed. The situation is being continuously monitored today Tuesday Sept. 23rd, 2014 in coordination with the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

We will keep you updated as events progress.

PATRICK H. WEST

City Manager

In the 9 a.m. hour Sept. 23, LBREPORT.com began receiving reports of a "burning plastic" type smell from residents from Bellflower/Wardlow, Palo Verde/Atherton, Bellflower/Del Amo and (a few miles west) at Wardlow/Atlantic. Some examples:

I smelled it ...Atherton/Clark

Palo Verde and Spring and you can smell it

Bellflower and Del Amo in Lakewood. Had to shut the front door and light a candle the smell was so strong.

Wardlow and Atlantic

Palo Verde & Stearns...

Brought the dogs in, closed everything and have the AC set to come on at 77

Studebaker & wardlow...bad

Earlier today, LBUSD Sup't Chris Steinhauser sent the advisory below to school principals at about 8:50 a.m.:

A fire in the Port of Los Angeles has caused the closure of two schools in Wilmington due to smoke. We have advised all westside schools to limit outdoor physical activities today. If you see or smell smoke at your school, you are also asked to limit such activities.

We have not been advised by the fire department (or any other agencies) of any hazardous air conditions, but we are providing this guidance as a precaution.

In addition to the above, LBUSD HQ also shared the AQMD's recent smoke advisory to schools, essentially reiterating the advice to avoid outdoor physical activities.

SCAQMD has issued the following advisory to the public:

A fire has been burning since 6:40 PM last night at a wharf in the Port of Los Angeles in Wilmington...With the sea breeze this morning, more downwind areas may experience smoke. SCAQMD advises that in areas impacted by the fire, where residents can see or smell smoke, that individuals avoid outdoor exposure and avoi d activities, if possible.Areas of direct smoke impacts and poor air quality may include: the South Los Angeles County Coastal Area (Forecast Area 4); portions of the Southwest Los Angeles County Coastal Area (Forecast Area 3)...

In any area impacted by smoke: Everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors. Keep windows and doors closed or seek alternate shelter. Run your air conditioner if you have one. Keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.

Further as we learn it.