Unhealthy Air Forecast For Banning Area Due To Heat, Emissions

BANNING, CA — Pass Area residents have been dealing with reduced air quality since the Apple Fire broke out July 31. Now, with the extreme heat wave underway across Southern California, elevated ozone levels are bringing air quality down to unhealthful levels — including in Banning.

On Saturday, the air quality in Banning will sink to "Unhealthful" due to elevated ozone levels, according to the latest South Coast Air Quality Management District forecast. The elevation often happens when pollutants — mostly vehicle emissions — and hot weather combine.

The unhealthful grade means "Everyone may begin to experience some adverse health effects (e.g. difficulty breathing and throat irritation), and members of the sensitive groups may experience more serious effects," according to the agency.

Those most at risk of serious problems are people with heart disease; pregnant women; children and older adults; and people with lung disease, such as asthma. These groups should avoid prolonged time outdoors, the agency advised.

Nearby areas also forecast to experience unhealthful air Saturday include most of San Bernardino County and the Riverside metro area. Air quality in most of the rest of Riverside County is forecast to be "Unhealthful for Sensitive Groups."

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