SoCal communities face unhealthy air quality, elevated temps NBC Los Angeles [Video]

With the Southland facing unhealthy air quality coupled with scorching temperatures, an ozone advisory was extended for many parts of Southern California due to persistent smog.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) extended its ozone advisory until 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 10. Several communities are expected to reach “unhealthy” levels of smog in the coming days in accordance with the Air Quality Index.

According to the AQMD, these areas will likely reach unhealthy levels of smog through the end of the advisory:

• Santa Clarita
• Upland
• Ontario
• Chino
• Riverside
• Moreno Valley
• Banning
• San Gabriel mountains
• San Bernardino mountains

“Ozone air pollution can cause respiratory health problems, including trouble breathing, asthma attacks, and lung damage,” an AQMD spokesperson said in a statement. “Research also indicates that ozone exposure can increase the risk of premature death.”

Health experts said air quality in SoCal declined drastically overnight due to smoke left behind from Fourth of July …