Orange County Air Quality Concerns? What The Canyon 2 Fire Means To You

ANAHEIM HILLS, CA — It didn't take long for a fast-moving brush fire in Anaheim Hills to blanket much of the region in smoke and ash all the way into Los Angeles County.

Dubbed, the Canyon Fire 2, the blaze broke out around 9:30 a.m. and quickly force the closure of the 91 Freeway and the 241 Toll road. Driven by fierce Santa Ana winds, the blaze triggered school closures and evacuations in nearby homes in Anaheim Hills.

Thick smoke obscured the sun, casting an odd glow over much of North Orange County Monday. Ash began to pile up on windshields as far as Long Beach. Schools in north Orange County, are keeping children indoors today because of the heavy smoke.

Watch: Evacuations Ordered As Wildfires Burn Through Calif. Wine Country

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an air quality advisory for much of Orange and Riverside counties.

"Everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors," air quality officials warned. "Keep windows and doors closed or seek alternate shelter. Run your air conditioner if you have one and keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. Avoid using a swamp cooler or whole-house fan to prevent bringing additional smoke inside."

Specific regions affected by the smoke advisory include:

• North Orange County
• Central Orange County
• North Orange County Coast
• Saddleback Valley
• Central Orange County Coast
• Corona/Norco Area – Riverside County

For Fire Updates, Read: Anaheim Hills Fire Explodes: 4500+ Acres, Homes Burn, More Evacuations Underway

NOTE: Non Anaheim Residents can call 714 628 7985 for information on the Canyon Fire 2, according to the Anaheim Fire Department.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY. PLEASE REFRESH THE SCREEN FOR UPDATES.

Photo courtesy of Amy spurgeon Hoffman and Patch Staffer Paige Austin