Ash advisory expanded during Ventura County's Mountain Fire

Air quality regulators issued an ash advisory for most of Southern California as crews try to contain Ventura County's Mountain Fire. 

The advisory applies to Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.   

Regulators said satellite and webcam images indicate widespread dust going as far as the Coachella Valley and covering most of the South Coast Air Basin. AQMD officials said the Santa Ana winds responsible for the rapidly growing Mountain fire also caused the kick-up in dust and ash throughout the region. 

The fire started as severe winds battered much of Southern California, which prompted National Weather Service officials to issue Red Flag Warnings. In this particular instance, they issued a "Particularly Dangerous Situation" alert because of the threat posed by "an ongoing or imminent fire weather pattern."

Meteorologists tracked some gusts of wind that reached more than 60 miles per hour as the fire burned.  

The advisory will last until at least 2 p.m. Thursday. AQMD believes the gusty winds and fire caused the air quality to drop to unhealthy or worse levels immediately after the fire. It may improve at night, dropping by a tier to unhealthy for sensitive groups. 

Conditions may worsen on Thursday with levels elevating to moderate.

The AQMD recommended residents limit their time outdoors and avoid vigorous physical activity. They asked Southern California to not use leaf blowers and slow down on dirt roads to prevent more debris from spewing into the air. 

If anyone must go outside, AQMD recommends proper personal protective equipment while near ash. Respirators such as N95 masks can provide some protection. If ash gets on anyone's skin, wash it off as soon as possible. 

The nonprofit Direct Relief will be handing out 250,000 N95 masks at the Ventura Family YMCA at 3760 Telegraph Rd, Ventura, CA 93003.

They will be there between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursday. Each individual can take up to two masks.