City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.longbeach.gov
Long Beach, CA – Long Beach City Health Officer, Dr. Anissa Davis, has recommended that residents and landscaping businesses avoid using leaf blowers while the Los Angeles region continues to be significantly impacted by the ongoing fires.
While the wildfire activity is located more than 35 miles away, the ash from wildfires can travel great distances before settling on the ground. Using leaf blowers could stir up the ash, which in turn could impact air quality.
The Los Angeles County Department of Health, which oversees cities including Pacific Palisades, Altadena and Santa Clarita, has recently declared a Health Emergency related to the fires and their health officer has issued a health order prohibiting leaf blowers.
The City of Long Beach is its own health jurisdiction and monitors air specifically in Long Beach. While the quality of air locally does not dictate an order to prohibit the use of leaf blowers at this time, Dr. Davis has made the recommendation out of an abundance of caution.
As an alternative to leaf blowing, residents can hose down surfaces with a gentle stream of water, use a shop vacuum or use a broom with softer bristles and lightly dampen the ground beforehand to minimize resuspending any ash.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Joint Information Center at jic@longbeach.gov.