SAN DIEGO : First Smog Alert of the Year Issued

Record temperatures helped push ozone levels throughout the county to unhealthful levels for some people, prompting the San Diego Air Pollution Control District to issue its first smog advisory of the year Saturday.

Air pollution control officials advised people with respiratory problems to remain indoors Saturday afternoon until 5 p.m., and suggested that people with sensitivities to ozone refrain from vigorous outdoor activities.

A 94-year-old record for April 25 was broken when the National Weather Service recorded a temperature of 83 degrees at 3 p.m., eclipsing the old record of 81 degrees set in 1898.

San Diego lifeguards reported throngs of swimmers at city beaches, where a water temperature of 70 degrees combined with the unseasonably warm weather to send many people into the surf.

Strong rip currents forced numerous rescues, according to Lt. Charles Wright of the San Diego lifeguards.

The APCD forecast more unfavorable air quality for today. People with sensitivities to ozone can expect discomfort and should restrict outdoor activities, officials advised. Others may experience some discomfort.

Emissions from automobile exhaust and smog that blows into the county from Los Angeles, combined with summer-like temperatures, created the conditions, an APCD official said. An inversion layer above the county is keeping heat and ozone trapped over the region, he said.