Unhealthy Smog Levels Predicted

Even as Ventura County’s searing heat abated Saturday, officials predicted unhealthy levels of smog for Simi Valley and Moorpark through the weekend.

The level of ozone, an invisible irritant than impairs breathing, reached 161 in Simi Valley on Saturday, easily the highest reading of the year, said Gary Arcemont, meteorologist at the county Air Pollution Control District.

The previous high was 144 on July 8, also in Simi Valley.

“It’s bad today,” Arcemont said Saturday. “Tomorrow should be a little bit less.”

The level is expected to reach 135 today, contrasted with the 131 federal standard at which healthy people are advised to reduce physical activity. Unhealthy people should avoid outside activity that increases their rate of breathing, officials warned.

Nonetheless, Friday’s extraordinary temperatures--109 in Ojai and 106 in Simi Valley--fell off Saturday, with the county’s highest being 99 in Ojai. It was 97 in both Fillmore and Simi Valley, according to the pollution control district.

Oxnard and Ventura beaches were in the 70s, and lifeguards said thousands showed up for a near perfect day.

“We were kind of moderate to heavy,” said Scott Parrish, a lifeguard at Ventura State Beach. “It’s been a beautiful day.”

Meteorologists said a gradual cooling will continue through Wednesday.

“It’s still on the warm side,” said Bill Hoffer of the National Weather Service in Oxnard. “But we’re heading for a slight cooling trend.”

Highs should be in the 70s along the coast and approaching 100 in the inland valleys, he said.