The Los Angeles County urban area may be more than 50 miles away from Gorman, where the Post Fire has burned more than 15,000 acres, but the wildfire’s impacts were felt through layers of ash carried by gusty Santa Ana winds.
That may explain why some car washes saw longer-than-usual queues on Monday as drivers waited to wipe ash off their cars.
“We’re very busy today. We’re busier than usual today because of all the ash from the fire,” said Jose Leon of La Cienega Car Wash.
The company encountered a similar pattern during another wildfire a few years ago.
“We’ve washed about 75 cars so far and 55 of them had ash on them,” car wash owner Cass Goinaraghi said.
Video also shows cars in Encino and Sherman Oaks covered in a thick layer of white dust.
“We were hanging out laundry outside and it was all covered in ash,” said Sherman Oaks resident Corey Johnson. “We’re trying to limit our time outside.”
Smoke from the post-fire appears to be widespread, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has issued a wildfire smoke watch for the Santa Clarita and Castaic areas.
SCAQMD advised area residents to limit exposure by staying indoors with windows and doors closed or seeking immediate shelter, avoiding strenuous exercise, and running air conditioners and air purifiers.
“It’s best to avoid using swamp coolers or whole-house exhaust fans that draw in outside air,” the department said. “Residents should also avoid burning wood in fireplaces or hearths. And if they must be outdoors, a properly fitted N95 or P100 respirator may provide some protection.”