Emergency medical supplies and respiratory protection equipment including N-95 masks were handed out to first responders and Southland residents Wednesday to mitigate potentially severe health risks from smoke exposure, officials said.
Wildfire smoke contains harmful pollutants, including fine particulate matter, that pose serious risks to respiratory and cardiovascular health. Devastating brush fires continue to burn out of control in Pacific Palisades and the Eaton Canyon area above Altadena, both driven by the worst wind event to hit the Southland in years.
A third major fire broke out in the Sylmar area, and the smoke from these fires could eventually spread to nearby cities, authorities said.
“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,” Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County health officer, said in a statement.
“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.”
Wildfires not only destroy homes and infrastructure but also have significant and long-lasting effects on public health. As wildfires become more frequent and severe, the health risks to individuals and communities continue to grow, particularly for those already vulnerable.
Poor air quality is especially worrying for people with asthma and other respiratory conditions. Strong winds can carry dust and debris, and when inhaled, these particles can irritate the respiratory tract, potentially causing inflammation or discomfort in the lungs, according to Dr. Russell Buhr, a pulmonologist at UCLA Health.
“It’s extremely concerning because the particles are small enough that when inhaled, they can go down into the deeper parts of the lung and cause inflammation and can trigger the body’s immune system,” Buhr told City News Service. “It can cause damage to the lung itself.”
The doctor said that for people who already suffer from lung disease, the inhalation of smoky air can provoke a situation where the body cannot get oxygen into the lungs.
Buhr said tight-fitting N-95 masks are particularly helpful if someone must be outdoors in conditions of poor air quality. Standard masks or bandanas are not good enough because their fibers are too large to filter out dust and debris in the air.
“Structure fire smoke is even more dangerous than wildfire smoke because of the chemicals used in the materials we use to build our homes and furnishings,” Buhr added.
Smoke impacts will naturally depend on fire activity and containment efforts. Smoke from the Eaton Fire has most heavily impacted the western San Gabriel Valley. PM2.5 levels — amounts of particle pollution — due to smoke are expected to reach the Unhealthy Air Quality Index category or higher in Altadena, Pasadena and surrounding areas, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which also advises the use of N-95 masks or P-100 respirators to provide some protection while outdoors.
The AQMD warned that potential direct smoke impact from the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst Wildfires burning has caused unhealthy air quality throughout the county. 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.
People at higher risk, children, the elderly, those with respiratory or heart conditions, and people with compromised immune systems, may experience more severe effects such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, fatigue, and/or chest pain, the AQMD said. As for pets, the district advises not to leave animals outdoors, particularly at night. Pets should be brought into an indoor location, such as an enclosed garage or a house.
The disaster relief and medical assistance organization Direct Relief said Wednesday it was distributing N-95 masks and other resources to first responders and those in wildfire-affected communities across California.
Local hospitals remain open and ready to assist during the emergency. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center says while it is “continuing to evaluate the impact of this evolving situation,” some of its outpatient offices in evacuation areas are closed. Affected patients at those locations have been contacted, according to the medical center.
Adventist Health Glendale stressed that patients were not being evacuated due to the Eaton Fire, and those requiring emergency ventilator/oxygen support should come to the facility’s emergency department. The hospital added that those who have been evacuated due to the wildfires and require oxygen support should go to the Pacific Community Center in Glendale.
The wildfires throughout Los Angeles County also present special concerns for children with existing breathing problems, said Dr. Irina Dralyuk, a Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s pulmonologist.
She advises parents to track the air quality measurement on their smart phones and whenever the air quality measurement is 125 or above, they should keep their children inside. Wednesday morning’s air quality measurement was above 400.
“If parents notice their children struggling with a persistent cough, wheezing or shortness of breath, seek medical attention immediately,” Dralyuk said, adding that prevention measures such as keeping kids indoors if there is smoke in the air, using air purifiers, and using special masks such as N-95 masks are recommended.
Dralyuk said that as of Wednesday morning, she had at least a half-dozen parents reaching out to her for advice on keeping their kids safe.
Meanwhile, the Coalition for Clean Air recommends that those not in an area currently affected by wildfires should prepare for potential wildfire events.
Health impacts of wildfires can include:
— Long-Term Exposure Risks: Prolonged exposure to poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke can have cumulative effects, including developmental impacts on children and worsening of chronic diseases;
— Respiratory Illnesses: Smoke from wildfires contains harmful fine particulate matter — PM2.5 — that can penetrate deep into the lungs, exacerbating asthma, bronchitis, and other chronic respiratory conditions;
— Cardiovascular Strain: Exposure to wildfire smoke is linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues, particularly for older adults and those with pre-existing conditions;
— Mental Health Effects: The trauma of evacuation, loss of homes, and disruption to daily life can lead to anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder; and
— Displacement and Health Access: Evacuations often disrupt access to essential medications, medical care and support services, disproportionately affecting those in underserved communities.