Everyone wants to do something to help with the L.A. fires... but will Manhattan Beach finally be willing to give up its leaf blowers? 

The L.A. County Department of Public Health has issued an order banning leaf blower use across the county during the current fire emergency due to air quality issues, such as blowing ash. The order applies to all of L.A. County, including Manhattan Beach.

To be clear: mechanical leaf blowers (both gas and electric) are already banned in Manhattan Beach (M.B.M.C. 5.48.330), a misdemeanor violation that can carry fines up to $1,000. They have been banned since 1998.

Yet the leaf blower prohibition in Manhattan Beach is widely ignored, and many residents claim it is not widely enforced. On Wednesday morning, for example, gardeners could be seen outside Manhattan Beach Studios stirring up clouds of dust with leaf blowers.

Asked on Tuesday if enforcement will be increasing, Manhattan Beach Mayor Amy Howorth said, "We are definitely ramping up [with] proactive patrolling."

Manhattan Beach Police did not respond to a request for comment.

The issue has long been a contentious issue in Manhattan Beach. While it is a convenience for homeowners and the gardeners who assist them, the noise that leaf blowers generate has been a source of multiple complaints.

Most recently, the question of whether Manhattan Beach will commit to enforcing the leaf blower ban came up at last October's City Council candidate forum co-sponsored by MB News.

"Gas-powered leaf blowers are illegal but they're everywhere. How can this be addressed?" was a question submitted to council candidates from the audience. 

"I think that's going to come down to enforcement. Unfortunately, if we have ordinances that are on the books, we don't enforce them, then people break them," responded then-candidate Nina Tarnay, who has since been elected to City Council.

Then-candidate Steve Charelian, who has since been elected to City Council, responded, "I think it comes down to enforcement, just understanding the operation of business licensing and enforcement through the city of Manhattan Beach. Business licenses are paid once a year, and there's an opportunity to communicate because you have a list of gardeners and you could send information to [them] and be able to have that positive dialogue and let them know that it's inappropriate to use it in this town. In ... the past couple of years [the city has] hired a few additional code enforcement officers. They get more boots on the ground to do the active and proactive enforcement that is necessary. So I want to continue championing the ability to have more visibility, not just the code enforcement, but as well as policing, 100%."

Not all cities prohibit leaf blowers, however, which is in part why the health department made a blanket order for all of L.A. County.

"The fires, coupled with strong winds, have severely degraded air quality by releasing hazardous smoke and particulate matter, posing immediate and long-term risks to public health," read a statement from the health department on Friday.

"To help protect the health and well-being of residents, the use of power air blowers, including leaf blowers, is prohibited until further notice. These devices stir up ash and particulate matter into the air, further worsening air quality and increasing health risks for everyone and their pets, particularly for those with respiratory conditions, older adults, children, and other vulnerable populations."

Manhattan Beach residents can report leaf blower complaints to the police non-emergency line at 310-545-4566 or through the Reach Manhattan Beach app.

Meanwhile, a Windblown Dust and Ash Advisory remains in effect for L.A. County through the end of the day Wednesday.

Also good to know: The Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Chevron, is distributing free N95 masks due to poor air conditions. Pick up your mask at the Chamber of Commerce offices at 425 15th Street in Manhattan Beach.