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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Hundreds of thousands of residents across California’s Coachella Valley are being urged to avoid using candles and other indoor pollution sources as an air quality alert remains in effect because of harmful particle pollution from windblown dust, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD).
The alert, which covers the Coachella Valley, including Indio, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Palm Desert Country, La Quinta and Coachella, was issued at 1:24 p.m. PDT Wednesday. A similar alert was issued for Imperial County, including the cities of Mountain Spring, Coolidge Springs, Salton City, Coyote Wells, Ocotillo, Plaster City, El Centro, Calexico, Alamorio and Brawley. Both alerts are set to remain in place until late Thursday night.
"Windblown dust events can occur year-round but high winds and dust most frequently occur from March to October in the Coachella Valley," an AQMD spokesperson told Newsweek.
Read More on Weather
AQMD officials said elevated levels of particle pollution are being driven by windblown dust, which can fluctuate by time and location depending on emissions and local weather conditions.
Particle pollution, often referred to as PM10 or PM2.5 depending on size, can penetrate deep into the lungs and pose serious health risks.
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"Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as asthma attacks, heart and lung disease symptoms, and increased risk of lung infections," the air quality alert, broadcast by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Phoenix, said. "Everyone can be affected, but sensitive groups such as people with lung or heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk."
As part of the alert, air quality officials specifically warned residents not to use candles, fireplaces, incense or other indoor sources of smoke or soot, which can significantly worsen indoor air quality during pollution events.
To keep indoor air cleaner while dust levels remain high, AQMD recommends keeping windows and doors closed, running air conditioning or air purifiers, avoiding whole-house fans or swamp coolers that draw in outside air if other cooling options are available, and avoiding activities that generate additional indoor pollution.
"Avoid other sources of pollution such as fireplaces, candles, incense, grilling and gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment," the alert said.
Air Quality Index Levels and Health Guidance
Residents are urged to monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) and adjust activities accordingly. If conditions worsen to “Hazardous” (maroon), everyone should avoid all outdoor physical activity. When AQI levels are “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” (orange), sensitive individuals should limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity. When AQI reaches “Unhealthy” (red), everyone may experience health impacts, and sensitive groups should avoid extended time outdoors. At “Very Unhealthy” (purple) levels, sensitive groups should avoid all outdoor physical activity, while others should limit strenuous or prolonged outdoor exposure.
Current AQI can be viewed at the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) AirNow website, accessible here. As of Thursday at 1 p.m. ET, Coachella Valley had the worst air quality in the country with an AQI of 96, which put it in the "moderate" level.
Update 4/2/2026, 3:29 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from the South Coast AQMD.
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