San Diego Navy Ship Fire Prompts Air Quality Concerns

SAN DIEGO, CA — A fire burning Monday aboard a Navy ship sent smoke across San Diego County, prompting public health officials to warn of unhealthy air quality.

The blaze sparked Sunday morning on USS Bonhomme Richard at Naval Base San Diego but continued to burn Monday. Due to smoke from the fire, fine particulates, or PM2.5 concentrations, may reach unhealthy levels across parts of San Diego, according to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District Office.

"In areas of heavy smoke, assume that air quality levels are unhealthy for sensitive groups to unhealthy for all individuals," the office advised. "In areas with minor smoke impacts, assume that air quality levels range from moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups."

Read more: 57 Injured In Fire On Ship At Naval Base San Diego

Health officials warned of unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups such as the elderly, children, and people with lung and heart disease.

If residents can smell acrid smoke they should limit physical activity and stay indoors if possible, according to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District Office.

"Right now, we're not seeing anything rise to a level of health concerns for the public. However, where smoke is present, San Diegans should limit physical activity and stay indoors, if possible, to limit exposure to particulate matter," said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's public health officer. "The situation could change as the fire is expected to be burning for a few days."

The San Diego office of the National Weather Service reported that the area of smoke concentrations will shift throughout the day as onshore winds kick in. Smoke should lift as temperatures rise, forecasters said.