VCAPCD News

District warns that fire smoke may cause unhealthy conditions

(VENTURA, Calif. — May 18, 2026) The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District is issuing an Air Quality Watch because of the potential for unhealthy air quality conditions due to the Sandy Fire.

Impacted cities may include Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Simi Valley. The air quality of surrounding areas may also be impacted depending on how weather conditions affect the transport of smoke.

Smoke and ash from wildfires contain very small particles — particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less — that can harm the lungs and heart.

When you see or smell smoke or when air quality reaches an unhealthy level as measured by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Air Quality Index (AQI), the district recommends that everyone:

• Avoid strenuous outdoor activity. If you must work outside, wear a properly fitted N-95 mask.
• Operate home and car air conditioners in recycle or recirculation mode. Close the fresh air intake.
• Stay indoors as much as possible, preferably in a clean room with an indoor air filtration device where you can avoid cooking or burning candles.
• Close all windows and doors that lead outside.
• Drink plenty of fluids.

A lower range of AQI can affect sensitive groups. This includes children, older adults and people with diabetes or heart or lung conditions.

The district issues Air Quality Watches when wildfires have the potential to produce significant amounts of smoke for a long time. Air Quality Alerts are issued when the AQI has reached or is forecast to reach an unhealthy level for all.

An AQI forecast reflects what is possible for a 24-hour day on average. At times, air quality is likely to be better or worse than what is indicated for the entire period. Levels of smoke and particles and the areas affected will vary over time. Conditions can change rapidly depending on winds.

For real-time data on air quality, check the AirNow NowCast AQI at airnow.gov or fire.airnow.gov. AirNow uses hourly data from the district’s five monitoring stations throughout the county to provide air quality information for the surrounding regions.

Ventura County farmworkers can receive text and audio alerts when wildfire smoke increases the AQI to unhealthy and hazardous levels. To sign up, text “SMOKE” for English or “HUMO” for Spanish, Mixteco and Zapoteco messages to 855-522-0034.

People can get Daily Air Quality Reports from the district by signing up to receive emails at vcapcd.org or by following the district on X, formerly known as Twitter.

For more information on precautions, visit our Wildfire Smoke webpage.