How smoke from LA wildfires is now threatening the health of millions

Major fires spreading in Los Angeles have engulfed the city in a thick cloud of smoke, prompting air quality advisories in multiple areas of southern California.

Wildfire smoke can cause high levels of air pollution, with particle pollution especially harmful to public health.

Children, the elderly, and people with conditions such as heart and lung disease are more sensitive to the effects.

What are the risks?

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, who is also a spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians.

“So that is one of the things that we have to consider”.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), fine particles from wildfire smoke are linked to premature death and can exacerbate diseases of the lungs, heart, brain and more.

One study from 2021 suggested that fine particulate matter may impact respiratory health more than fine particles from other sources.

Firefighters or emergency workers can be injured and suffer from burns or smoke inhalation, as well.

“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 US Health Secretary Xavier Becerra who is 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.

The smoke advisory was expected to last until late on Thursday. A dust advisory was also in effect until late Wednesday as gusty winds could kick up ash and dust from prior fires and further worsen air conditions, the district said.

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.

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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 32 km 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.

What can people do to protect themselves?

People living in areas affected by wildfire smoke should try to stay indoors and keep windows and doors shut to limit their exposure.

They should avoid vigorous physical activity and run air conditioning or an air purifier, and should not use house fans that draw in outside air. People should avoid indoor air pollution such as pan-frying or candles, air quality regulators say.

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For those who must be outside, a respirator mask can offer some protection, they added.