Odd-smelling air and concerns over the impacts of a lithium ion battery storage fire in Escondido fueled speculation around North San Diego County, especially coastal communities, about causes and responsibility Friday, Sept. 6.
Local agencies and media received reports of varying descriptions about acrid air. Residents also took to social media to describe smells ranging from metallic and tar-like to wood or other natural material. Coastal communities appeared to be most effected, particularly Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside.
The air quality concerns came as a confluence of factors affected the region:
✔ A portion of an SDG&E lithium ion battery storage facility caught fire on Thursday, leading to evacuations and shelter-in-place orders for an area near the Escondido Auto Park.
✔ A brush fire just south of the U.S.-Mexico border sent smoke and haze northward across San Diego County thanks to high pressure and winds blowing from the south to southwest.
✔ An acrid scent wafted across coastal North County toward inland communities with no apparent source, though speculation on social media and elsewhere theorized it was related to the battery storage fire or the wildfire smoke from the south.
✔ A strong heat wave sent local temperatures upward of the high 80s to the low 100s with increased humidity levels.
By 6 p.m. Friday, the city of Encinitas published a notice through social media addressing the air quality concerns, as did Carlsbad, Oceanside and other cities, sharing a county Alert San Diego announcement acknowledging the situation.
“The County Office of Emergency Services is monitoring reports of a strong odor along the north coastal areas of San Diego County,” the alert stated. “The Air Pollution Control District is assessing the situation with support from the County’s Hazardous Incident Response Team. The Coast Guard has no reports of a spill in the area.”
By Friday evening, a statement was issued by the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, also circulated by several cities such as Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside and San Marcos. The district stated it had confirmed that the odors were not related to the Escondido battery storage fire.
“Today, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District received air quality complaints reporting strong odors along the Carlsbad and Oceanside coast,” the district’s statement read. “Our field inspectors are on-site and have documented odors resembling a mix of plastic and asphalt/oil in certain areas but the odors to dissipate quickly. Due to the fleeting nature of the odors, we have been unable to identify the source at this time. However, we can confirm that these odors are not related to the fire at the SDG&E battery facility in Escondido.”
***North County Odor Update*** pic.twitter.com/Qi2zMrSfhc
— San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (@sdapcd) September 7, 2024
The city of Escondido released an air quality update Friday related to the SDG&E battery storage fire. In it, the city stated that air-quality levels are being measured in real time, that proper reporting has been followed, and that testing has been performed in the fire area and locations 1 mile away in prevailing wind.
“All air quality readings have been within normal (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) ratings since the start of the incident,” the city stated.
The county’s Alert San Diego page also issued a statement saying that coordination will continue with the Air Pollution Control District to monitor the situation.
Late Friday afternoon air quality reports across North County generally ranged from moderate to unhealthful for sensitive groups. The air quality forecast for Saturday, Sept. 7, was generally moderate.
Real-time wind directions can be tracked using Windfinder.
