Neighbor News
Air Quality Watch expands in Ventura County
Sandy and Santa Rosa Island fires both may cause unhealthy conditions
UPDATE: WATCH WILL END AT 12:01 A.M. FRIDAY, MAY 22
(VENTURA, Calif. — May 20, 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 both the Sandy and Santa Rosa Island fires.
Impacted cities may now include Ventura in addition to Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo and Oxnard. The air quality of surrounding areas may also be impacted depending on how weather conditions affect the transport of smoke.
Find out what's happening in Moorparkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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.
For information on protective measures, visit our Wildfire Smoke webpage at https://www.vcapcd.org/wildfire-smoke/.
