Three significant wildfires are currently encircling Dr. Karen Jakpor’s home in Southern California, leaving her uncertain about where to seek safety.

Despite the flames being several miles away, smoke drifts down the mountains, filling the valleys and hills of the Inland Empire, an extensive area located east of Los Angeles. Jakpor, who is 62 and has asthma, finds it increasingly difficult to breathe due to the hazardous wildfire smoke. Asthma attacks, already a concern due to the area’s high pollution, have intensified because of the Line, Airport, and Bridge fires that are converging near Riverside, where Jakpor resides.

Jakpor is on the lookout for a safe place to go as the fires continue rampaging without containment. Many people share her concern. Southern California has a long-standing issue with air pollution, and right now, advisories are in place for millions due to the three fires that have devastated hundreds of thousands of acres.

Wildfire smoke, which is not only a result of burning trees and shrubs but also includes harmful emissions from burning homes and other synthetic materials, is laden with toxic chemicals detrimental to health both immediately and in the long run.

“What I’m experiencing from afar reflects what’s affecting those closer to the flames,” Jakpor, whose voice sounded strained, shared with YSL News. “Evacuation areas are just one factor to consider; sometimes, you may need to leave even from a distance.”

Jakpor’s multi-level house, positioned on a hill with a small orange grove surrounding it, had a view obscured by thick haze on Thursday morning. She couldn’t see Mount Baldy, where the Bridge Fire is currently active, though summer smog often conceals the mountains regardless.

Inside her residence, Jakpor, who volunteers with the American Lung Association, operates eight HEPA filters. She has stuffed rolled towels under her doorways and sealed her bedroom sliding door with tape. She has even started wearing an N95 mask inside her home and utilizes a non-invasive ventilator during the day too, instead of just at night.

Jakpor frequently checks the air quality indices to monitor PM 2.5 levels — tiny harmful particles released during wildfires, significantly smaller than a human hair, that can provoke asthma attacks, heart issues, and strokes.

On Thursday, as she contemplated whether to heed her pulmonologist’s advice to evacuate, she thought about heading to San Diego. However, every path she considered would lead her into areas where she might encounter toxic smoke.

Health Warnings for Millions

Health officials from various counties have alerted the public about the dangers of inhaling polluted air.

“Smoky conditions can pose serious risks for young children, the elderly, those with heart issues, chronic lung diseases like asthma and bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions,” stated Michael Sequeira, San Bernardino County Health Officer. “Older adults and children should stay indoors, keep doors and windows shut, or look for different shelters.”

The South Coast Air Quality Management District covers a large population of 17 million, ranging from the beaches of Los Angeles to mountain ski areas and desert regions. On Thursday afternoon, officials declared a smoke advisory for the entire area, which includes all three wildfires.

While valleys might experience less severe effects until Thursday evening, the risk of smoke permeated throughout Southern California nonetheless.

“The key takeaway is that if you smell or see smoke at ground level, you should limit your exposure to it,” advised Scott Epstein, the planning and rules manager overseeing air quality assessments for the district, in an interview with YSL News. He urged individuals to monitor local air quality readings for up-to-date information.

Understanding Wildfire Smoke Toxicity

Wildfire smoke comprises a mix of fine particles and gases, with climate change exacerbating the intensity and frequency of such fires.

Fine particles like PM 2.5 can linger in the atmosphere, travel significant distances, and be inhaled deeply into the lungs. Immediate symptoms may include stinging eyes and nasal irritation, along with a scratchy throat or wheezing, as highlighted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It can also induce headaches, chest pain, and rapid heartbeat.

The smoke can provoke asthma and heart issues but can lead to serious long-term health implications as these particles enter the bloodstream. Some studies indicate that prolonged exposure could heighten cancer risk and foster the development of dementia.

Furthermore, wildfire smoke releases carbon monoxide, an undetectable gas that decreases oxygen supply to body organs and tissues, according to the American Lung Association. This can cause initial symptoms of headaches, nausea, and dizziness, but in severe cases, it can lead to fatal outcomes.

The danger intensifies as wildfires burn not just vegetation but also homes, plastics, and other manmade substances, explained Dr. Afif El-Hasan, a pediatrician from Orange County and representative of the American Lung Association, who specializes in asthma. Moreover, wildfires compound the existing pollution from freeways and industry in Southern California, areas known for consistently poor air quality.

Identifying Those at Risk

While individuals with asthma and other lung diseases are particularly vulnerable to wildfire smoke, it can adversely affect everyone’s health.

“The smoke can definitely worsen symptoms or trigger various kinds of attacks because breathing becomes more strenuous,” he mentioned to YSL News. “Irritation can narrow airways which impacts not just those with asthma or lung diseases but even healthy individuals.”

Increases in hospital visits for respiratory concerns, including asthma attacks, are common during wildfire events.

Dr. Roopa Viraraghavan, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, Riverside, School of Medicine, has noted an uptick in patients presenting symptoms such as respiratory issues, eye irritation, fatigue, headaches, and diminished lung capacity.

She also expressed concern regarding a recent heatwave, which had already raised temperatures into triple digits across California. These extreme temperatures contribute to dry conditions and can worsen health issues among at-risk populations. The onset of fires shortly after amplified her worries.

“It’s just getting hotter and hotter,” she remarked. “In these conditions, it doesn’t take much for the brush to ignite.”

Avoiding Wildfire Smoke

• If you notice smoke from a wildfire, stay indoors. Check air quality updates through reliable sources like airnow.gov or your local air quality district.
• Limit outdoor activities. If you must go outside when the air quality is poor, wear a respirator, such as an N95 or P-100 mask.
• Within your home, keep windows and doors shut. Utilize a HEPA filter for better air quality. If a commercial air filter isn’t an option, you can create a DIY Corsi-Rosenthal box using simple materials like an air filter, box fan, duct tape, clamps, and bungee cords.
• The American Lung Association recommends designating a “clean room” in your home during high wildfire smoke periods. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, this room should be devoid of activities that produce additional particles, and doors should remain closed to keep smoke out. A portable air cleaner can help maintain better air quality in this designated area.
• If staying at home is challenging, consider finding a shelter.