Southern California Wildfires Impact Millions with Toxic Air Quality Issues

Three wildfires rage around Dr. Karen Jakpor’s home in Southern California, leaving her uncertain about her next steps. Smoke continues to seep down from the mountains into the surrounding hills and valleys of the Inland Empire, despite the fire lines being some distance away. At 62, Jakpor struggles with asthma, and the toxic smoke from these wildfires severely hampers her breathing. With the Line, Airport, and Bridge fires encircling Riverside, where she resides, her condition has worsened dramatically.

Jakpor is searching for a safe zone outside of the area as the wildfires show no signs of being brought under control. She is not alone in her plight; countless others are feeling the same pressure. Southern California is already notorious for its poor air quality, and now tens of millions of residents are under air advisories due to the conflagrations, which have scorched hundreds of thousands of acres.

The smoke emanating from these wildfires is not only made up of burning vegetation but also includes toxic chemicals released by homes and other manmade materials. These toxic releases pose immediate and long-term health risks. “What’s happening to me, at a distance, reflects what others closer to the fires are experiencing. It’s crucial to take precautionary measures even if you live further away,” Jakpor explained, her voice strained and hoarse.

Dr. Jakpor lives in a split-level home atop a hill surrounded by a small orange grove. The view from her home on Thursday was obscured by a thick fog of smoke; she could not see Mount Baldy, where the Bridge Fire raged prominently. Jakpor has taken significant steps to try to protect herself; she has eight HEPA air filters running throughout her home and has sealed doors with rolled towels and tape. To further protect her health, she has started wearing an N95 mask indoors and utilizes a non-invasive ventilator throughout the day, something she typically only uses at night.

Monitoring air quality has become a daily routine for Jakpor, who keeps a close eye on the PM 2.5 levels. These minute particles, which are smaller than 2.5 micrometers, can penetrate deep into the lungs and are highly capable of inducing asthma attacks, heart problems, and strokes. As she weighed her options on Thursday, her pulmonologist’s recommendation to evacuate lingered in her mind. After considering her choices, Jakpor thought of heading toward water, perhaps San Diego, yet felt confined as nearly every route would still expose her to harmful air.

Health officers in the region have cautioned the public about the dangers posed by this toxic air. “Smoky conditions can be harmful for young children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing heart or lung conditions like asthma and bronchitis,” stated Michael Sequeira, a health officer in San Bernardino County. He emphasized that vulnerable populations should remain indoors and keep windows and doors shut, or alternatively, seek shelter elsewhere.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District, serving a vast population of 17 million, stretching from Los Angeles to mountainous regions, issued a smoke advisory encompassing the entire district on Thursday afternoon. Although valleys would initially avoid the worst effects until later, the air quality across Southern California remained perilous.

Scott Epstein, a planning and air quality manager in the district, urged residents to minimize their exposure to smoke, stating, “If you smell smoke or see it near ground level, take measures to limit your inhalation.” He encouraged frequent checks of real-time local air quality data.

The makeup of wildfire smoke comprises a mix of tiny particles and gases, which are exacerbated by climate change, worsening fires in scale and intensity. PM 2.5 particles can linger in the air, travel extensive distances, and infiltrate the lungs. The immediate effects can include irritation of the eyes and throat, while prolonged exposure is linked to severe health issues such as cancer and cognitive decline.

In addition to these concerns, wildfire smoke releases carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas that can deprive organs and tissues of oxygen, resulting in symptoms like headaches and nausea. High exposure levels can even lead to fatalities. Dr. Afif El-Hasan, a pediatrician and speaker for the American Lung Association, indicated that these fires are not solely destroying trees and vegetation; structures, plastics, and additional manmade materials are also at risk, compounding the already critical air quality issues from transportation and industrial pollution.

Those affected by asthma or other lung and heart diseases face heightened risks from wildfire smoke, though total exposure impacts everyone. “Healthy individuals can also experience adverse effects, as the smoke can irritate airways, making breathing difficult,” said Dr. Roopa Viraraghavan, an associate professor of pediatrics. She reported an uptick in patients presenting respiratory problems, eye irritation, and fatigue attributed to the fires.

As she pointed out, the compounded heat wave prior to the fires has only worsened conditions, creating a scenario where even the smallest spark can ignite dry brush. “Everything is heating up, and it becomes increasingly easy for fires to erupt under these drying conditions,” Viraraghavan remarked.

In light of the ongoing danger, authorities recommend various protective measures: staying indoors if smoke is visible or detectable, limiting outdoor activities, using high-efficiency filters indoors, and creating a “clean room” free from activities that generate smoke or pollutants.

For individuals finding it challenging to remain safe amid this crisis, seeking shelter elsewhere is the advised course of action.

Source: USA Today