Wildfire smoke from raging California blazes is putting millions at risk

Southern California ‒ with sprawling cities, clogged freeways and heavy industry ‒ is already notorious for some of the worst air quality in the nation . This week's wildfires are putting millions of people at risk for immediate health problems and longer-term issues.

When most people think about the dangers of fire, they think about burns, said Dr. Cedric “Jamie” Rutland, a national spokesperson for the American Lung Association and a pulmonologist in Orange County, near Los Angeles. But smoke is a major contributor to health problems, he said, and with such widespread fires “it’s going to affect the surrounding region.”

Wildfire smoke  ‒ burning trees and shrubs but also homes and other manmade materials ‒ contains toxic chemicals harmful to human health immediately and over longer periods. These carry risks such as increases in asthma attacks, but even longer-term issues with evidence showing increased risk of cancer and dementia .

“Predicting where ash or soot from a fire will travel, or how winds will impact air quality, is difficult, so it's important for everyone to stay aware of the air quality in your area, make plans, and take action to protect your health and your family's health," Dr. Muntu Davis, the county's health officer, said in a statement. “Smoke and ash can harm everyone, even those who are healthy."

Who's at highest risk?

People at highest risk from wildfire smoke include children, older adults, and those who are pregnant, have heart or lung conditions, or weakened immune systems, Davis said.

Still, even healthy people can be affected. Fire smoke can cause headaches, dizziness and nausea, which may also be a sign of exposure to carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas that cuts oxygen to our organs and tissues, Rutland said. At high levels, it can be deadly.

Why air pollution is dangerous

Fires release tiny molecules called fine particulate matter that are small enough to enter the body through the tubes that carry air into our lungs and end up in our bloodstream, Rutland said.

Los Angeles already has the nation's worst ozone pollution , which has been described as sunburn of the lungs , in addition to some of the worst particle pollution in the U.S. Lower-income people and people of color tend to live areas that are already more polluted, leading to more chronic health issues. This puts them at even greater risk when fires blaze.

Along with trees and brush, homes and other structures have burned in the current blaze. As metals and plastic burn, they release toxins into the air, which can activate inflammatory responses, triggering asthma and heart attacks and scarring lung tissues, Rutland said.

What areas are at highest risk from the current fire?

Fires in Southern California are at the coast, mountains and desert after powerful winds swept through the sprawling mega-region.

Even without being near the fires or in an evacuation zone, smoke from the Palisades, near the ocean, to the Eaton and Hurst, along the mountains, fires can travel far and wide across the metropolitan region of nearly 19 million people.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District , a regulatory agency for the region, issued advisories in northwest and eastern Los Angeles County for smoke. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health warned of unhealthy air in the county through Wednesday.

Steps to protect yourself from wildfire smoke

◾ Check local air quality through trusted resources like  airnow.gov  or your local  district . In immediate areas, heed evacuation warnings and orders.

◾ Stay inside if you see or smell smoke from a wildfire. Indoors, close windows and doors. Use a higher-efficiency HEPA filter. If you can’t buy a commercial portable air filter, you can create your own. One example is the  Corsi-Rosenthal box  made from simple materials of an air filter, box fan and duct tape.

◾ Create a “ clean room ” in your home, especially a room where you sleep or spend a lot of time. The Environmental Protection Agency says  this room  should be free from activities that create particles from cooking or smoking. Doors should be kept closed to prevent smoke from entering. A portable air cleaner can make the room’s air cleaner than the rest of the home.

◾ Avoid outdoor activities. If you have to go outdoors when air quality is poor, use a respirator, such as an N95 mask. This can drastically reduce inhaling pollutants.

◾ If it's difficult to create stay indoors or create safe conditions, seek shelter elsewhere.

Eduardo Cuevas covers health and breaking news for USA TODAY. He can be reached at  EMCuevas1@usatoday.com .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wildfire smoke in Southern California puts millions at risk