The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory for parts of Los Angeles County as smoke from wildfires in Central California moves south.

Elevated levels of toxins in the air are expected in the mountain areas through Friday afternoon, the air quality agency said.

Several fires are burning in the Sierras and Northern California, with a new blaze erupting in the Redding area on Thursday.

The agency advises closing windows and doors, and running an air purifier, to keep indoor air clean. Do not use whole house fans or swamp coolers that bring in outside air.

AQMD also advises avoiding burning wood in your fireplace or fire pit; minimizing sources of air pollution such as candles, incense, pan-frying and grilling; and limiting the use of gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment.

Breathing fine particulate matter can lead to a wide variety of cardiovascular and respiratory health effects such as heart attacks, asthma aggravation, decreased lung function, coughing, or difficulty breathing and may lead to premature death in people with heart or lung disease.