Waking up in Los Angeles this morning was nothing short of devastating. Five major fires spanning nearly 14,000 acres have engulfed California’s most populous city, marking the most destructive wildfires the area has ever seen.
The latest numbers show five people have been killed and nearly 180,000 are under evacuation orders. A Sheriff from the area tells CNN that some of the structures, houses, and areas “look like a bomb was dropped in them.”
In addition to the devastation of homes, businesses, and entire neighborhoods, there are worries about the health effects of smoke on residents of the city and beyond. According to AirNow, which reports the U.S. Air Quality Index, regions in the impact zone are facing unhealthy air quality, and people are advised to take precautions.
As Angelenos start their Wednesday morning, there will be notable impacts to air quality with winds pushing smoke across the Los Angeles area.
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 8, 2025
Please limit your exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed and wearing a properly fit mask. https://t.co/KG6UMYNoZb pic.twitter.com/UyuTEyBuXT
Wildfire smoke is toxic
Wildfire smoke is a concoction of gases like carbon monoxide, hazardous air pollutants, water vapor, and particle pollution, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Particle pollution, a type of air pollution that consists of small solid particles and liquid, arises from natural events like wildfires and volcanic eruptions, and human contributions like the burning of fossil fuels.
This pollutant “represents a main component of wildfire smoke and the principal public health threat,” the agency states.
Today, the U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra gave a dire warning about the potential health impacts of the Los Angeles wildfires, cautioning that the “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,” he said.
“It’s just a toxic soup,” Lisa Miller, a wildfire smoke expert at the University of California, Davis told NPR. “Think of all the synthetic fibers that are present in your living room—in your couch, in your carpet, in your clothes. All those things can be particularly toxic,” she said.
Additionally, electronics, vehicles, plastics, and common household products are going up in smoke. “Now you got a whole bunch of toxic materials that are getting burned and put into the air,” Becerra said.
How does wildfire smoke affect health?
Wildfire smoke can have a range of short-term and long-term health effects, depending on the severity and duration of exposure, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Toxins in wildfire smoke can cause coughing, itchy eyes, and trouble breathing. It can also cause inflammation of the lungs, raising the risk of bronchitis, and exacerbating asthma symptoms.
The smoke can affect respiratory function, cardiovascular health, and lung capacity.
Some people, whether due to being at higher risk for certain health conditions or because of more exposure to the smoke, can develop heart failure, stroke, and heart attack. The National Institutes of Health has also associated longer-term exposure to wildfire smoke with a greater risk for developing dementia.
People with respiratory conditions and heart health issues are at higher risk of these complications, as are older adults and children. More research is needed to understand the full scope of wildfire smoke’s longer-term health impacts.
How to protect yourself
“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 Dr. Muntu Davis, the health officer for Los Angeles County, in a written statement.
To protect yourself in an area facing poor air quality, local authorities recommend staying indoors, keeping windows and doors sealed, using air conditioners to circulate air indoors (not ones that bring air in from outside), and wearing a N95 or P100 mask when outside.
If you’re feeling any severe symptoms related to poor air quality, seek medical help.
