How to stay safe from wildfire smoke in SoCal

The air quality in Southern California has been affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires and other wildfires, with each neighborhood impacted differently, varying in distance from the fires. 

While wildfire smoke harms everyone, it’s especially dangerous for children and older adults. People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), common lung disease, heart conditions, diabetes and different chronic diseases should take more precautions during this time, according to Marco Angulo M.D., medical director of medical education at AltaMed. 

Angulo is one of the doctors with AltaMed helping people with medical services at the Pasadena Convention Center since the fires broke out last week. 

AltaMed’s medical clinic in Pasadena, located at 2661 E. Washington Blvd., was destroyed in the Eaton Fire on Wednesday, January 8. 

“We're trying to be the hand they hold on to. I've gone around just visiting patients and just saying, ‘How are you doing?’ I'll sit there for 15, 20 minutes just talking to see how they are and how we can help them. I think everybody has a heart here. We're all going to come up together,” Angulo said. 

There are different ways to stay healthy indoors and outdoors from the unhealthy air quality and smoke. 

How to stay safe indoors 

“Wildfire smoke is about 10 times more toxic than the air pollution caused by burning fossil fuel,” L.A. Times staff writer Jenny Gold said in a video.

Angulo suggests staying indoors as much as possible while keeping all doors and windows closed. Placing cloths or towels under doors can also help prevent harmful air from entering buildings. 

Don’t use any air systems or fans that pull outside air. If you have to turn on the air conditioner, use air purifiers. Air conditioners can be used with recirculation mode to prevent outside air from entering. 

He suggests people, especially those with chronic disease and asthma, should use a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter indoors. This type of filter can remove at least 99.97% of any airborne particles with the size of 0.3 microns. 

If possible, set up a smoke-free, clean-air room with windows and doors sealed with an air purifier. Remember to replace air purifier filters. 

Avoid vacuuming, which can stir up participles inside the house. 

How to stay safe outdoors 

Limiting your time outdoors is also important. 

When going outside, wear a properly fitted mask, including children over the age of two. 

This also includes wearing a mask inside a car. Press the car’s air recollection button, which usually looks like a loop with an arrow, to use the air inside the car instead of from the outside.  

Angulo suggests wearing a properly fitted N95 mask, which was indicated for use during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Avoid intense activities for the kiddos, exercising outdoors and resting helps reduce how much smoke you breathe in,” Angulo said. 

Free N95 masks are available around Los Angeles areas, including at all Los Angeles Public Library locations, while supplies last. 

While monitoring air quality, Angulo mentions preparing to wear a mask for the next two weeks. 

Wear gloves and long sleeves to protect the skin while cleaning off ash. Don’t let children and animals get near ash-covered areas. 

“Wash off ashes immediately once they get on your skin,” Angulo said. “Wet ashes can cause irritations or even burns.”

Smoke and ash are also harmful to pets. Use a wet washcloth or baby wipe to clean your pet’s paws after taking a walk outside to prevent them from licking soot off their paws. 

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a Health Emergency on Friday, January 10. It prohibits the temporary use of power air blowers, such as leaf blowers, to reduce the spread of ash, debris and smoke. 

Key points when monitoring health 

It is important to keep medications and refills in hand. Keep a list of medications in hand in case bottles are misplaced. 

For people with asthma and COPD, have their inhalers ready. 

“If they have an inhaler, there's always an action plan attached to it and how many times you use it. Make sure that they stay close to that,” Angulo said. 

When monitoring for heart conditions, watch out for chest pain, irregular heartbeats or feeling fatigue. Smoke exposure can worsen these conditions. 

“We (AltaMed) have a lot of patients that have diabetes. The high stress from smoke exposure can affect your blood sugars as well, so monitor them closely,” Angulo said. 

He advises people who are experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or worsening conditions to seek medical help and call 911. 

Staying hydrated is important because it can help reduce some respiratory symptoms. Poor air quality can increase respiratory discomfort and dehydration. 

There are herbs for respiratory health, including thyme, ginseng, curcumin and more. 

Be evacuation-ready for the future 

Keep an evacuation plan and bag ready to go for disasters. 

Cal Fire prepared the six P’s of evacuation, a list of items to have in your evacuation bag. 

• People and pets 

• Papers, phone numbers and important documents 

• Prescriptions, vitamins, and eyeglasses

• Pictures and irreplaceable memorabilia

• Personal computer, hard drive and disks

• “Plastic” (credit cards, ATM cards) & cash

Creating a wildfire action plan, also available in Spanish, is also important for family and other members living in the same household. This action plan will be tailored to everyone in the house for specific needs and situations. 

Per Cal Fire, a wildfire action plan on the website states:

• Meeting point: A predetermined meeting location outside high-risk areas to determine who has evacuated from the affected area.

• Escape routes: Several escape routes, known to all in your household. Practice these often so everyone in your family knows where to go.

• Animal arrangements: Specific arrangements for pets and larger animals, like horses and other livestock.

• Communication plan: A family communication strategynames someone outside the area to be the main contact point for all family members if you get separated or have trouble with phone networks.

Resources 

Different types of aid and shelters are available for those impacted by the fires. Volunteer opportunities are also available for those who would like to help. 

To keep updated on the fires and evacuations in real-time, download the Watch Fire app.