Dr. Karen Jakpor finds herself surrounded by three wildfires near her home in Southern California, feeling uncertain about where to escape.

Despite the flames being miles away, smoke drifts down from the mountains into the Inland Empire area, located east of Los Angeles. Jakpor, age 62 and an asthma sufferer, is facing seriously worsened breathing conditions due to the toxic wildfire smoke. Her asthma, already flaring up because of the usual pollution in this densely populated area, has been exacerbated by the Line, Airport, and Bridge fires surrounding Riverside, her home.

Looking for a safe place to go amid ongoing uncontrolled fires, Jakpor joins many others in Southern California, which is already known for its poor air quality. Currently, tens of millions are under alerts as these wildfires continue to spread over hundreds of thousands of acres.

Smoke from wildfires, which consists of burning vegetation and also materials like homes, releases harmful chemicals that can be detrimental to health both in the short and long term.

“What I’m experiencing, even from a distance, reflects the risks faced by those living closer to the fires,” Jakpor, whose voice was affected, shared with YSL News. “It’s crucial to consider evacuating, even if you’re not in the designated areas.”

Her split-level house is situated on a hill, surrounded by a small orange grove. On Thursday morning, the view was obscured by a thick haze, making it impossible for her to see Mount Baldy, where the Bridge Fire is currently burning, although summertime smog often hides the mountains anyway.

Inside her home, Jakpor, who volunteers with the American Lung Association, runs eight HEPA air filters. She has stuffed rolled towels at the bottom of her doors and secured her balcony sliding door with tape. Now she wears an N95 mask indoors and uses a non-invasive ventilator during the day, which she usually reserves for nighttime use.

Jakpor keeps a close watch on air quality levels, specifically monitoring PM 2.5 particles, which are extremely small particles less than 2.5 micrometers wide. These tiny particles released by wildfires can trigger health issues like asthma attacks, heart attacks, and strokes.

As she weighs her options about leaving her hilltop home in Riverside, Jakpor considers traveling to San Diego as her pulmonologist recently advised. However, she knows that wherever she goes, she’ll need to avoid inhaling harmful air.

Millions Advised to Stay Indoors

Health authorities have alerted residents about the dangers of breathing in polluted air.

According to San Bernardino County Health Officer Michael Sequeira, “The smoky conditions pose serious risks for young children, older adults, individuals with heart conditions, lung diseases like asthma and bronchitis, and others with respiratory issues. It’s recommended that older adults and children stay indoors, keep windows and doors shut, or find alternate shelter.”

The South Coast Air Quality Management District manages air quality for a region of 17 million people, covering areas from the beaches of Los Angeles to the mountains and the desert. On Thursday afternoon, they issued a smoke advisory for the entire district, as all three active fires are within it.

While some valleys might avoid the worst air quality until later Thursday evening, the threat still hangs over Southern California as a whole.

To emphasize the situation, Scott Epstein, who oversees air quality for the district, remarked, “If you can smell smoke or see it close to the ground, you need to limit how much of it you inhale.” He urged individuals to check air quality readings for real-time updates on local conditions.

Understanding the Dangers of Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire smoke is a mix of fine particles and gases, with climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of these fires.

Small particles like PM 2.5 can remain airborne, travel vast distances, and be inhaled, penetrating deep into the lungs. Immediate effects may include eye and throat irritation, coughing, and wheezing, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other symptoms can include headaches, chest pain, and rapid heartbeat.

Wildfire smoke can provoke asthma and heart issues, but it also has longer-lasting effects as fine particles infiltrate the bloodstream. Some studies indicate that prolonged exposure may elevate the risk of cancer and lead to dementia.

This smoke releases carbon monoxide, which is a colorless and odorless gas that diminishes oxygen supply to the body’s organs, as stated by the American Lung Association. This exposure can cause initial symptoms like headaches, nausea, and dizziness, while very high levels could even be fatal.

According to Dr. Afif El-Hasan, a pediatrician from Orange County and spokesperson for the American Lung Association, wildfires do not solely consume trees and brush but also manmade materials such as homes and plastics. Moreover, wildfires add to the existing pollution problems caused by Southern California’s highways and industries, which consistently create some of the worst air quality in the United States.

Who is at risk?

Individuals suffering from asthma, heart conditions, or other lung diseases are particularly vulnerable to wildfire smoke, although it can be harmful to everyone.

Dr. El-Hasan remarked, “The smoke can definitely worsen conditions or trigger attacks since your lungs are under greater strain to breathe. The irritation can constrict airways, which can affect not just those with asthma or other lung conditions, but also people with healthy lungs.”

During wildfire incidents, there is often a rise in hospital admissions due to respiratory issues like asthma attacks.

Dr. Roopa Viraraghavan, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, Riverside, School of Medicine, reported an uptick in patients facing respiratory and eye irritation, along with fatigue and headaches.

She expressed concern over a recent heatwave that saw temperatures soar into the triple digits, leading to drier conditions that could worsen health problems for susceptible groups, a situation exacerbated by the onset of wildfires.

“The heat has escalated,” she noted. “It doesn’t require much for dry brush to ignite in these high temperatures.”

How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke

• If you detect smoke or smell it from nearby wildfires, remain indoors. Consult reliable resources like airnow.gov or your local district for current air quality updates.
• Limit outdoor activities. When it’s necessary to venture outside in poor air quality, wear a respirator, such as an N95 or P-100 mask.
• Close your windows and doors while indoors. Utilize a HEPA filter with high efficiency. If purchasing a commercial air filter isn’t feasible, you can construct one yourself, such as the Corsi-Rosenthal box, which is made of simple materials including an air filter, box fan, duct tape, clamps, and bungee cords.
• The American Lung Association advises establishing a “clean room” in your home during high wildfire risk periods. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, this room should avoid activities that generate pollutants, such as cooking or smoking, and keep doors closed to block smoke infiltration. Employing a portable air cleaner can ensure cleaner air in that room compared to other parts of the home.
• If conditions are challenging, consider looking for a shelter.