An air quality alert was issued on Thursday at 4:59 p.m. in effect until Friday at 5 p.m. The alert is for San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire, Riverside County Mountains, San Gorgonio Pass Near Banning,

An air quality alert was issued for much of southern California on Friday, January 8, as fierce wildfires have been raging in the greater Los Angeles area amid dry conditions and high winds. The National Weather Service advised residents to remain indoors with their windows closed and to wear N95 masks if they have to go outside.

The catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles County have caused toxic air in the region. NBC News' Steve Patterson reports on the threat and how people can protect themselves.