Parts of Southern California have been issued air quality advisories due to 35 wildfires in the region, which release toxins and create dangerous dust levels.
The South Coast Air Quality Management (AQMD) set up smoke and windblown dust alerts on Tuesday, which will remain until Wednesday evening.
A smoke advisory has been issued for Los Angeles and Pasadena with some parts seeing levels equivalent to smoking more than a pack of cigarettes in a day.
The highest levels sit in Imperial County, Salton Sea and parts of Los Angeles closer to the coast.
And a windblown dust advisory has been issued for nearly the entire South Coast Air Basin which is home to more than 17 million people.
‘High PM10 levels in the region are a result of gusty Santa Ana winds, which can lift dust and soil into the air,’ the AQMD stated.
PM10 refers to particulate matter (PM) particles 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller.
‘If there’s wildfire smoke, stay indoors as much as possible,’ shared Listos California, an emergency alert website.
‘Turn off anything that allows outdoor air to enter and set your air conditioning to reuse air that’s already in the house. If possible, use a HEPA filter device to help clean the air in your home.’
Within 24 hours, fires consumed nearly 6,000 acres, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency as fires destroyed over 1,000 buildings, triggered nearly 400,000 power outages and forced tens of thousands to evacuate.
The smoke and dust are being fueled by the same winds that sparked the wildfires, known as Santa Ana winds which are warm and gusty northeast winds that blow from the interior of the region toward the coast.
AQMD shows that wind speeds, which are currently up to 80mph in some regions, are expected to decrease throughout the region starting at 6pm PT Wednesday.
‘Smoke from the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire and Hurst Fire is expected to most heavily impact coastal, central, and southern Los Angeles County on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday,’ AQM stated.
‘PM2.5 levels due to smoke may remain at the Unhealthy AQIcategory or higher in Malibu, Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, Downtown Los Angeles and surrounding areas of fires.’
Particulate air pollution, also called PM2.5 pollution, is a mixture of tiny liquid and solid particles like soot, dust, dirt or smoke.
Wildfire smoke is a mixture of small particles, gases and water vapor.
The primary health concern is the small particles, which can cause burning eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, headaches and illness like bronchitis.
Muntu Davis, Health Officer for Los Angeles County, 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.
‘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.’
Public Health officials are urging residents living where there is visible smoke or the smell of smoke or unhealthy air quality to avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure and to limit physical exertion (whether indoor or outdoor), such as exercise.
Children, older adults, pregnant women who are pregnant and those with medical conditions should stay indoors as much as possible.
