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Wildfires are engulfing large swaths of Los Angeles County, placing more than 100,000 people under evacuation orders as of the morning of January 9, with some of them fleeing as their houses burn. According to Cal Fire, five major fires are threatening more than 29,000 acres of land in LA, including areas that house some of the most well-known Hollywood landmarks. The first fire started around 10:30 a.m. on January 7, and the subsequent fires broke out over the next 36 hours, per Cal Fire.
The fires have been devastating so far: At least five people have died and three of the fires remain 0% contained as of the afternoon of January 9. But even if you're not in the direct path of flames, it’s important to be aware of the risks.
“Exposure to wildfire smoke can be quite dangerous," Mridu Gulati, MD, Yale Medicine pulmonologist and associate professor of medicine at the Yale School of Medicine Section of Pulmonology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, tells Teen Vogue via email. “Wildfire smoke is composed of a complex mixture of gases and particles made up of soot and dust that is produced from burning building structures, trees and plant life, as well as other materials.”
Because the LA fires are burning landscapes and man-made structures alike, the smoke from materials or things inside those structures may be particularly hazardous. “The fires in LA are considered Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) fires. This means that they are burning man-made structures in addition to natural fuels,” Jennifer Stowell, PhD, MPH, a climate and health research scientist at the Department of Environmental Health at the Boston University School of Public Health explains via email. “This is of particular concern because smoke from homes and buildings puts additional toxic chemicals and particulates into the air — some of which are more toxic than smoke from natural fuels. Extra efforts to protect yourself from the smoke should be considered with these types of fires.”
Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds, even thousands, of miles, potentially putting people who can't even smell the smoke at risk. As climate change fuels longer and more destructive wildfire seasons yearly, this threat is perhaps even more worrisome.
Fortunately, though, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. We talked to Dr. Gulati and Dr. Stowell about how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke, why it's dangerous to inhale, and what to understand about the Air Quality Index.
Why wildfire smoke is dangerous
Air pollution in general is not good for you, Dr. Stowell says, but wildfire smoke is particularly harmful. “Wildfire smoke has been shown to be more toxic than normal ambient air pollution. It can carry greater amounts of chemicals and particulate matter that can harm your health," she notes. “Inhalation can have significant impacts, especially in individuals with underlying conditions, like asthma or COPD."
Dr. Stowell adds, "Currently, there are no guidelines regarding acceptable levels of [wildfire smoke] inhalation, but research has shown that even a very small amount of smoke exposure can have much greater impacts than equivalent ambient pollution exposure."
As Dr. Gulati explains, wildfire smoke contains all kinds of particles from burning landscapes, structures, and more. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pollution from these particles is the main public health threat associated with wildfire smoke. Immediate symptoms include those you'd expect from any kind of smoke inhalation: “Inhaling smoke can irritate your lungs and make you cough, wheeze, or just make it hard to breathe,” Dr. Gulati says. “It can also irritate your sinuses, nose, throat, and eyes.”
Related: Where to Donate Clothing and Toiletries for California Wildfire Victims
How to tell if you're at risk
If you're near a wildfire and see a lot of smoke, that's probably a pretty good indication that you're being exposed to wildfire smoke — but it's not always that simple. “Even if you are not in the direct path of the fires," says Dr. Gulati, "you should still be careful because wildfire smoke can travel far.”
Dr. Stowell recalls the June 2023 wildfires in Canada. Smoke from those fires blanketed parts of the United States, apparently causing a spike in emergency department visits for asthma-related symptoms in New York City, one of the places the smoke traveled.
But how can you tell if you need to take precautions? Check the Air Quality Index. This rating system will tell you how healthy the air outside is for you to breathe, noting particular caution for people with certain health conditions. Says Dr. Gulati, you should be especially careful if you have a chronic condition such as heart, lung, or kidney disease.
Understanding the Air Quality Index
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool from the federal EPA that rates outdoor air quality based on how it might impact human health. According to AirNow.gov (one of the places you can find the AQI, in addition to most smartphone weather apps), the higher the AQI, the more pollution in the air, the worse it is for your health.
AQI values of 0-100 are generally considered acceptable for most people. Values of 101-150 may impact members of sensitive groups, but the general public is less likely to be affected. Values of 151-200 are considered unhealthy; 201 to 300 are very unhealthy; and values of 301 or above are hazardous and constitute emergency conditions, according to the EPA. On January 8, parts of Pasadena, California, were registering a 645 AQI because of the wildfires.
If you see an AQI that could be harmful to you, it is best to stay inside.
Related: LA Wildfires: Photos Show the Extent of the Destruction. Here’s How to Help.
How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke
If you can, stay inside. When air quality levels are potentially hazardous, it's best to stay in and try to keep smoke out. “While indoors you should stay in areas that are closed off from the contaminated outdoor air,” says Dr. Gulati. “Try to avoid creating more ‘indoor air pollution’ and do not burn anything inside like propane or even wood, candles, and incense.”
Dr. Stowell says an air conditioner or air purifier can increase your protection. “The best way to protect yourself from smoke is to remain indoors with your windows shut and your air conditioning or air purifiers running," she explains. "Ideally, your air conditioners should have a filter with a MERV rating of 7 or higher, and you should set it to circulate air rather than intake air from outdoors (if this is a possibility). Air purifiers generally already have high-grade filters, but HEPA filters are the most effective. Staying indoors with these precautions is especially important for individuals with asthma or COPD.”
For those who don't have access to filters in their homes, Dr. Stowell says, consider spending time at a place like a public library or a shopping mall, if it's safe to do so. These locations will likely have filtration systems.
If you do have to go outside, Dr. Gulati says, the best protection against wildfire smoke is a respirator, particularly one approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). “Look for the term ‘NIOSH’ and, if possible, choose an N95 or P100,” she says. “These respirators offer the highest level of protection by filtering out most of the particles.”
If it becomes difficult to breath while wearing a mask, it may be dirty, Dr. Gulati says. In that case, you need a new mask.
But what about people who don't have access to a respirator? Dr. Gulati advises using a surgical mask or even tying a scarf around your nose and mouth. These won't provide the same level of protection as a respirator, but at least it's something.
It’s also important to remember that once fires are over, even if the air looks clearer, that doesn't mean it's necessarily safe to stop taking protective measures. “You should still take steps to protect your health even after a wildfire as poor air quality… can last for a long [period] of time,” says Dr. Gulati. "You should continue to check the Air Quality Index. The leftover ash can still cause health problems such as trouble breathing…. You may need to wear a mask or respirator for some time after."
