Rancho Santa Margarita Air Quality Moderate After San Diego Fires

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Many south Orange County residents saw and smelled smoke over the weekend, after three San Diego County wildfires fouled the air. Air quality for some regions of Orange County and along the coast remained unhealthy through late Sunday, the South Coast Air Quality Management District said.

SCAQMD issued a smoke advisory for Lake Forest, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Irvine and Laguna Niguel, Sunday.

"Air quality may reach Unhealthy for Sensitive Group levels or higher in areas directly impacted by smoke," SCAQMD officials warned. Residents in the affected areas were advised to stay indoors and avoid vigorous exertion, especially those who are pregnant or have respiratory or heart diseases.

On Monday, air quality returned to Moderate, an "acceptable" air quality for most of Orange County, they said. However, for some pollutants there may be a "moderate health concern for a very small number of people" who are unusually sensitive to air pollution, such as the young, elderly and those with breathing conditions.

4-day Forecast for Rancho Santa Margarita

Today, mostly cloudy throughout the day.

Tuesday July 10

Partly cloudy throughout the day. High 91, low 69.
Chance of precipitation: 8%. Wind 3 mph from the SW

Wednesday July 11

Clear throughout the day. High 91, low 68.
Chance of precipitation: 8%. Wind 3 mph from the SW

Thursday July 12

Partly cloudy starting in the afternoon. High 86, low 68.
Chance of precipitation: 2%. Wind 4 mph from the SW

Friday July 13

Partly cloudy until evening. High 91, low 69.
Chance of precipitation: 0%. Wind 4 mph from the WSW
Data provided by darksky.net.

Photo: Courtesy David Okun: Camp Pendleton smoke column seen from Dana Point.