Massive wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area have filled the air with a thick cloud of smoke and ash, prompting air quality advisories across a vast stretch of Southern California.
Three major fires broke out Tuesday amid dangerously high winds, killing at least five people and destroying more than 1,000 structures. Tens of thousands of people have been told to evacuate, many in harrowing conditions.
In Altadena where one of the major fires raged, the smoke was so thick a person used a flashlight to see down the street. A dark cloud hovered over downtown Los Angeles and smoky air and ash drifted well beyond the city to communities to the east and south.
“Predicting where ash or soot from a fire will travel, or how winds will impact air quality, is difficult, so it's important for everyone to stay aware of the air quality in your area, make plans, and take action to protect your health and your family's health," said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Health Officer for Los Angeles County. “Smoke and ash can harm everyone, even those who are healthy. However, people at higher risk include children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with heart or lung conditions or weakened immune systems.”
What are the risks?
Wildfire smoke increases tiny particles in the air known as particulate matter that can be harmful to people's health. Children, the elderly and people with conditions such as heart and lung disease are more sensitive to the effects.
Dr. Puneet Gupta, the assistant medical director for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said wildfire smoke is known to cause heart attacks and worsen asthma, and that burning homes can also release cyanide and carbon dioxide. He said sickened patients are showing up in emergency rooms when hospitals already are full because of flu season, and some hospitals could also face evacuations due to the fires.
"We have a number of hospitals that are threatened, and if they have to be evacuated, it could become a crisis," said Gupta, also a spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians. "So that is one of the things that we have to consider."
U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra raised concerns Wednesday about the smoke's impact on people's health in the aftermath of fires that have charred massive amounts of vegetation and buildings.
"That air that's being spewed is no longer just the kind of smoke that we used to see from wildfires, where it was natural vegetation that was burning," said Becerra, a former California Attorney General. "Now you got a whole bunch of toxic materials that are getting burned and put into the air."
What areas are affected?
About 17 million people living across Southern California are covered by smoke and dust advisories issued for the three wildfires, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Smoke from the multiple fires is expected to most heavily impact northwest coastal Los Angeles County including Pacific Palisades, the area of Altadena and Pasadena, near San Fernando, respectively, and areas near the fire.
The worst conditions were in the vicinity of the fires with some areas covered in thick, gray smoke. In East Los Angeles, the air quality index hit an unhealthy 173. Good air quality is considered to be 50 or less.
But dozens of miles away, air quality also was deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups including the elderly and young children. Officials in the city of Long Beach about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Los Angeles warned residents to take precautions due to the smoky air, and in coastal Rancho Palos Verdes the air quality index measured 108, which is considered unhealthy for those sensitive to pollution.
Winds from the northwest were expected late Wednesday and Thursday to push air from the regions where fires were still burning toward the south across Los Angeles and Orange counties and east toward San Bernardino County.
What can people do to protect themselves?
If you see or smell smoke, or notice particles and ash in the air, stay indoors to limit exposure, especially if you have heart or lung conditions, are elderly, or have children.
Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors. Use air conditioners that recirculate air to filter out harmful particles. Wear an N95 or P100 mask if you must go outside in smoky conditions for long periods of time in areas with heavy smoke or where ash is present.
Avoid air conditioners that only bring in outside air and don’t recirculate. Check and replace air filters regularly. Filters labeled “MERV13” or higher are most effective for removing smoke particles. HEPA air purifiers can further reduce indoor particles.
If it’s too hot to keep windows and doors closed and you don’t have an air conditioner, go to a public place like a library or shopping center to stay cool and protect yourself from harmful air.
Avoid using fireplaces, candles, or vacuums. Clean dusty surfaces with a damp cloth and don’t smoke.
If you experience symptoms like severe coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, palpitations, nausea, or unusual fatigue, contact your doctor or go to urgent care. For life-threatening symptoms, call 911.
When smoke lingers, fine particles may build up indoors even if you can't see them. Masks can protect against larger particles, but most don’t block fine particles or toxic gases, which are more harmful.
Practice safe clean-up following a fire. Follow the ash clean-up and food safety instructions at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/wildfire/.
The following is recommended for pets:
If dogs or cats appear to be in respiratory distress, they should be taken to an animal hospital immediately. Symptoms of respiratory distress for dogs include panting and/or an inability to catch their breath. Symptoms for cats are less noticeable, but may include panting and/or an inability to catch their breath.
Avoid leaving your pets outdoors, particularly at night. Pets should be brought into an indoor location, such as an enclosed garage or a house.
