Map Shows Where Californians Asked to Avoid Gas Stations

As California faces another week of air quality challenges, a new map released by the National Weather Service (NWS) highlights areas where residents are being asked to delay trips to gas stations and take other measures to combat high levels of ozone pollution. This latest alert follows a pattern of air quality issues that have plagued the state throughout the summer.

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The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has extended an air quality alert until 7 p.m. Wednesday, covering a vast region including Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside counties, and the Coachella Valley. This comes just a week after similar measures were implemented in other parts of the state.

On July 2, NWS issued an air quality alert for the southern Imperial Valley, including the cities of El Centro, Calexico, Alamorio, and Brawley. That alert, which was in effect from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., asked residents to limit power usage and avoid gas stations to help mitigate poor air quality.

The current guidelines from the South Coast AQMD to help minimize ozone air pollution levels include:

1. Delay trips to gas stations until evening hours
2. Limit the use of gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment until evening
3. Conserve electricity and set air conditioners at higher temperatures
4. Postpone the use of household chemicals until evening

Newsweek contacted the AQMD via email on Monday for further comment on these guidelines.

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These recommendations mirror those issued in previous alerts, underscoring the ongoing nature of California's air quality problems.

The persistence of these air quality issues highlights the severity of ozone pollution, particularly during the summer months. As the NWS noted in its alert last week, "Elevated levels of ozone—the predominant summertime pollutant—are likely to result in poor air quality in the afternoon and early-evening hours."

"Ozone air pollution can cause respiratory health problems, including trouble breathing, asthma attacks, and lung damage," the NWS stated in its first notice. "Children, older adults, and people with asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) may be more sensitive to the health effects of ozone."

The newly released map uses color coding to indicate the severity of air quality concerns in different areas. Red zones, signifying "Unhealthy" air quality index (AQI) levels, now encompass not only the Los Angeles basin but also extend into the Inland Empire and parts of Orange County.

When air quality index (AQI) levels are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (orange), people with heart or lung disease, pregnant women, children, and older adults should limit prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. At Unhealthy (red) AQI levels, everyone may experience adverse health effects, and sensitive groups should avoid prolonged time outdoors. At Very Unhealthy (purple) AQI levels, sensitive groups should avoid all outdoor physical activity, and everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

Health officials remain particularly concerned about vulnerable populations, including children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD. These groups are advised to be especially vigilant about limiting outdoor exposure during periods of poor air quality.

For the latest updates on air quality conditions and advisories, California residents are encouraged to visit the websites of their local air quality management districts or consult the relevant mobile apps.