Antelope Valley AQMD

SMOKE ADVISORY: The Antelope Valley AQMD has issued a smoke advisory in response to the #LakeFire. If you can smell smoke, we urge you to use caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities. Learn more: tinyurl.com/AVSMOKE8132020

AVAQMD Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer Bret Banks just posted an updated statement on the District's operations in light of COVID-19. Read it here: https://avaqmd.ca.gov//Executive+Officer+Statement+Update.

Happy Earth Day. While we do our best to stay home to protect our friends and loved ones, the earth is taking a big, restorative breath of fresh air!

AVAQMD has issued a message from Executive Director/Air Pollution Control Officer Bret Banks regarding the District's response to COVID-19. Read the message here: https://avaqmd.ca.gov/f/27fdd8657/AVAQMD+Public+Message.pdf

We hope you are all staying safe and healthy out there. FEMA has just released a rumor control link to help dispel much of the misinformation out there on COVID-19. Check it out here https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus-rumor-control. Stay safe.

Show us #ourdesert from your POV! Here's another beautiful photo from Trevor of our staff, taken near the San Bernardino/Los Angeles county line. Look at all th...at green! And how appropriate he shot it on St. Patrick's Day Let's see your Mojave Desert photos don't forget to tag them #ourdesert!

ADVISORY The Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District has coordinated efforts with its staff to largely reduce the number of employees working in person at its Lancaster office, following guidelines to reduce gatherings, substantially increase social distancing and further prevent the spread of COVID-19/coronavirus.

AVAQMD works to curb COVID-19 spread At the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District our No. 1 priority is the safety of our staff, residents, permit-holders and stakeholders. In light of the continued threat of the COVID-19 virus, the District is taking steps to protect all who work and do business here while maintaining day-to-day operations in order to continue to reduce emissions and protect air quality. Due to the rapidly changing situation and recommendations fro...m the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these provisions are subject to change as necessary. Until further notice the District is: encouraging all stakeholders with AVAQMD business to carry out interactions with District staff via phone or online at www.AVAQMD.ca.gov; securing entry to the building and asking that anyone with necessary in-person business call 661.723.8070, to gain entry (granted on a case-by-case basis); the March meeting of the AVAQMD Governing Board has been cancelled; the next regular meeting is scheduled for April 21; continuing to monitor all information and institute updated guidelines and policies as necessary to protect District staff and residents. We appreciate your patience during this fluid time and thank you in advance for joining us in taking all recommended precautions in curbing the spread of this virus. We are all in this together. For more information on what you can do, visit the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health online at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/ For more information on up-to-date air quality information please visit our website at www.AVAQMD.ca.gov or www.AirNow.gov. You can also sign up for forecasts and text alerts at www.enviroflash.info.

The fire at the recycling center on 6th Street East in Palmdale has been knocked down and there are no residual smoke impacts. The Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District has lifted the smoke advisory. Thank you to our Firefighters! Stay safe out there.

There is currently a fire at the recycling center at 37815 6th Street East in Palmdale. Officials expect this fire to burn for approximately 24 hours with smoke currently blowing in the southeast direction. If you smell smoke, you are breathing smoke. Avoid outdoor activities, close doors and windows and take special care of those with pre-existing lung conditions.

High winds + open desert = dangerous air quality. Our Particulate Matter numbers are spiking on all monitors throughout the AV Air Quality Management District. Please limit your outdoor activity and take extra care of your loved ones with pre-existing respiratory issues. For more on PM visit https://www.epa.gov/pm-polluti/particulate-matter-pm-basics