As LA fires blanket the county with hazardous smoke, medical experts are emphasizing the critical importance of air filtration and respiratory protection.
According to Dr. May-Lin Wilgus, a pulmonologist with UCLA Health and director of the Adult Asthma Program at Thousand Oaks Hampshire Primary & Specialty Care, wildfire pollution can affect people over an area 10 to 15 times larger than the actual fire.
“A big part of the danger of wildfire pollution is the intensity of the exposure,” explains Dr. Wilgus. “The amount of pollution released can be manyfold higher than the routine air pollution we’re exposed to from other sources.”
Understanding the health impact of smoke during Los Angeles wildfires
Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can penetrate deep into the lungs. These microscopic particles can:
- Travel into smaller airways, causing irritation and inflammation
- Enter the bloodstream, leading to systemic inflammation
- Cause symptoms including runny nose, burning eyes, chest pain, sore throat, headache, and shortness of breath
The CDC warns that those with asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease are at increased risk, along with first responders, children, and pregnant women.
Expert safety recommendations for LA fires
LA fires are creating hazardous air conditions across the county. Protecting your lung health during these wildfire events requires careful precautions. Dr. Wilgus specifically recommends:
- Avoiding outdoor activities in affected areas
- Using well-fitting N95 masks when outdoors is necessary
- Keeping windows and doors closed
- Running air-conditioning
- Using portable HEPA air filters
Wearable air purifier for wildfire smoke
For portable HEPA protection, Certified Asthma Educator Lorene Alba recommends using a personal air purifier like Respiray Wear A+ with an Activated Carbon HEPA filter. “The device’s HEPA filter works like your personal air filter, keeping particles from the wildfire smoke out of your lungs,” explains Alba, who has held key positions at the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, the California Department of Public Health, and the American Lung Association.
While stationary air purifiers are important for indoor spaces, a portable air purifier can provide additional protection as you move between locations. Among air purifiers for wildfire smoke, Respiray Wear A+ with an Activated Carbon HEPA filter combines two types of filtration: HEPA technology for particle removal and an activated carbon layer designed to help filter smoke-related chemicals. This portable solution can be particularly helpful during LA fires because:
- It creates a zone of filtered air around your breathing area
- It offers mobility between different environments
- The combination of HEPA and activated carbon filtration helps address both particles and smoke-related compounds
- The HEPA technology helps capture the dangerous PM2.5 particles present in wildfire smoke
Comprehensive protection strategies during Los Angeles wildfires
To maximize protection during wildfire conditions, Alba recommends these essential measures:
Outdoor protection
- The EPA recommends N95 masks or P100 respirators for outdoor exposure – cloth or surgical masks won’t protect against PM2.5
- Ensure masks fit snugly without gaps
- Wear sunglasses or goggles to protect eyes from smoke irritation
- When driving, keep windows closed and use recirculated air
- Change car cabin air filters every 15,000 – 30,000 miles
- Consider using Respiray Wear A+ with an Activated Carbon HEPA filter as an additional layer of protection alongside your N95 mask when outdoors
Creating safe indoor spaces
- Maintain a clean air environment by keeping windows and doors closed
- Run air conditioning with clean filters
- Note that dehumidifiers and humidifiers won’t help clean smoke from the air
- After being outside, change clothes immediately and shower to remove smoke particles
- Avoid using gas stoves during poor air quality periods; use air fryers, slow cookers, or microwaves instead
- Don’t smoke, vape, or use scented candles, aerosols, or strong cleaning chemicals
- Clean with damp or microfiber cloths instead of sweeping
- Use HEPA filter vacuums or mops for floor cleaning
- Use Respiray Wear A+ with Activated Carbon HEPA filter while indoors to help filter your breathing air. The device acts as your portable air purifier, helping to filter out smoke particles and related chemicals as you move around your home
Special guidelines for asthma patients during LA fires
As Los Angeles wildfires create particularly high risks for those with respiratory conditions, Alba emphasizes several crucial steps for individuals with asthma:
Update your action plan
- Work with your doctor to revise your asthma action plan specifically for wildfire conditions
- Include clear steps for managing smoke exposure symptoms
- Document all symptoms to watch for: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness
Know emergency signs
- Learn to recognize serious breathing emergencies:
- Inability to speak full sentences
- Blue or ashen lips/fingernails
- Rescue medication not providing relief
- Have a clear plan for emergency medical attention, including when to call 911
Medication management
- Stock up on at least a few weeks’ worth of medications
- Take all prescribed asthma and allergy medications as directed
- Keep rescue inhalers readily available
Creating a clean air environment
For optimal protection in your home environment during LA fires, Alba recommends:
- Using HEPA-based air purifiers for wildfire smoke (avoiding ionizers which can create harmful ozone)
- Sealing gaps around AC units
- Regular filter replacement
- Setting up dedicated clean air rooms
Remember that protecting yourself during Los Angeles wildfires requires multiple layers of defense. Combine these safety measures with regular monitoring of air quality through AirNow.gov and official guidance. Stay informed about current conditions and evacuation orders through the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), Emergency Management Department (EMD), local news outlets, and other emergency services.