After fires destroyed multiple neighborhoods across Los Angeles County, many residents looked up to find blue, smoke-free skies this week. The Air Quality Index (AQI) — which measures the concentration of pollutants in the air — seemed to confirm all was well in the L.

The LA wildfires have burned tens of thousands of acres – but on some weather maps, air quality still looks good. What’s going on?

A total of six towns in Monmouth and Ocean counties have unhealthy air and ozone levels, according to AirNow.gov.

The record-breaking wildfires in California, including the Palisades and Eaton fires, are unleashing toxic smoke filled with hazardous chemicals, wreaking havoc on air quality for miles around and raising concerns about the safety of homes long after the flames are extinguished.

The explosion of smoke and ash that erupted from two wildfires was beyond belief. In the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, as the Eaton fire engulfed homes and businesses, a thick blanket of smoke rolled over the horizon,