JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The weather was difficult for firefighters who battled a massive apartment fire downtown on Monday with low humidity and gusty winds. Skies were sunny most of the day but filled with smoke around the Sports Complex and Southbank.
Monday was not as warm with gusty NW breezes keeping us cool but not cold. Look for mostly sunny skies with temps in the low 60s.
The apartment fire near the Sports Complex resulted in poor air quality since 2 a.m. Morning air quality spiked to very unhealthy levels around the stadium with the smoke blowing toward Empire Point and the Gate Bridge. By 5 p.m., it was downgraded to moderate.
A pollution sensor near the Baseball Grounds listed fine particle pollution over 225 which ranked as one of the top five worst reporting sites around the world for a couple of hours at sunrise. The poor air was confined and not detected at any other locations.
JFRD Chief Keith Powers recommended those living in the area with health problems avoid going outside.
“We would suggest anybody that does have those type of (breathing) issues to stay indoors and try not to breathe the smoke,” JFRD Chief Keith Powers said. “The good thing is that we’ve got a real heavy wind that’s kind of blowing it offshore and dispersing it and it’s not kind of settling down in one area.”
Use this link to monitor the fluctuating air condition.
The unhealthy levels of air particles from smoke have decreased since then but will likely remain unhealthy for sensitive groups until all smoke is exhausted.
When Outdoor Air is Unhealthy
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Spend more time indoors. This is especially important for at-risk groups (“sensitive groups”), like children and teenagers, older adults, people with heart or respiratory problems, pregnant people, and those who exercise or work outdoors.
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Turn off the HVAC if it draws in outside air.
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People who must spend time outdoors should consider wearing a mask (use the best well-fitting face mask you have on hand. A N95 or KN95 will work best), take frequent breaks, and adjust work or exercise schedules for when air conditions improve.
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Schools, child and adult care facilities, employers and activities programs should plan for more indoor activities or reduce outdoor activities when air quality is unhealthy.
The smoke smell will linger in the surrounding downtown and intensify tonight as the winds go calm.
Tonight dips down into the mid-40s at the coast with mid to upper 30s in town. Areas west of I-295 and across inland Georgia could have frost by the morning.
The week stays dry until Sunday and highs will be in the 60s all week.
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