Analysis of the effects of combustion emissions and Santa Ana winds on ambient ozone during the October 2007 southern California wildfires

Combustion emissions and strong Santa Ana winds had pronounced effects on patterns and levels of ambient ozone (O3) in southern California during the extensive wildland fires of October 2007. These changes are described in detail for a rural receptor site, the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, located among large fires in San Diego and Orange counties. In addition, O3 changes are also described for several other air quality monitoring sites in the general area of the fires. During the first phase of the fires, strong, dry and hot northeasterly Santa Ana winds brought into the area clean continental air masses, which resulted in minimal diurnal O3 fluctuations and a 72-h average concentration of 36.8 ppb. During the second phase of the fires, without Santa Ana winds present and air filled with smoke, daytime O3 concentrations steadily increased and reached 95.2 ppb while the lowest nighttime levels returned to ∼0 ppb. During that period the 8-h daytime average O3 concentration reached 78.3 ppb, which exceeded the federal standard of 75 ppb. After six days of fires, O3 diurnal concentrations returned to pre-fire patterns and levels.