Smoke and ash from the local Eaton and Palisades Wildfires have caused unhealthy air quality in Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued a smoke advisory for areas close to the fires including Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, San Fernand, and more.
IMPORTANT NOTE โ Wearing an N95 respiratory mask while outdoors is one of the best ways to protect yourself from harmful pollution and air quality.
Dangers of Air Pollution
Even as the air clears and the air quality index improves, local authorities and health experts warn Angelenos to protect themselves from harmful toxins that remain in the air due to the ash and destruction of the wildfires. Typical wildfires burn natural environments. The Palisades and Eaton Wildfires are urban wildfires that have burned many manmade materials that compose homes and household items โ building materials like copper pipping and asbestos, electrical wires coated in toxic chemicals, car batteries containing lithium, household items containing heavy metals, and furniture full of artificial substances. All of these items turn into toxic, fine particulates once burned. Then, aggressive winds carry these pollutants hundreds of miles away. Even if you do not live in an area close to a wildfire, you could be at risk of harmful air pollution.

The Truth About the Air Quality Index
Many resources have been citing the Air Quality Index as a reliable measure of how polluted the air is in any specific area. Yet, the AQI often found on your mobile weather apps and national weather maps, often do not tell the full story. Blue skies and good air quality index measures do not mean that the air is not harmful.
Here are some helpful tips surrounding AQI and how to assess pollution conditions in your area:
- Air levels are constantly changing. Be sure to check the levels in your area before you plan to be outside.
- Check the PM2.5 levels. PM2.5 are fine inhalable particles consisting of microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are expelled into the air during wildfires.
- The AQI doesnโt take into account other hazards such as lead, asbestos, and arsenic โ all of which are carcinogens โ that are released into the air when homes and cars are burned.
- Even in the best of times, Los Angeles is known to have poor air quality and high pollution.
Health Risks of Air Pollution
As high winds are expected to worsen in the next few days, Via Care warns of the dangerous air quality and pollution. As these toxic air particles spread more widely across Los Angeles County, many individuals are at risk of immediate illness and/or long-term disease.
Immediate risks include:
- Coughing
- difficulty breathing
- rapid heartbeat
- burning eyes
- runny nose
- chest pain
- fatigue, and more
These small particles can embed within the lungs and contaminate the bloodstream. Over time, this can lead to:
- reduced lung function
- chronic bronchitis
- worsening of asthma
- increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and lung cancer
Those most at risk include:
- Adults 65 and older
- Children
- Pregnant people
- People with existing heart and lung conditions
- People with weakened immune symptoms

Risks for People with Asthma and COPD
Inhaling the polluted air and toxic air particulates from wildfires can cause lung irritation and inflammation, leading to coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. For those with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen asthma symptoms which may result in costly emergency room visits and respiratory related hospitalizations. Exposure to wildfire smoke can also have long term implications including impaired lung function and increased all-cause mortality. People with asthma and COPD should take extreme care to follow the recommended protection mechanisms and should keep a quick-relief asthma inhaler close by in case symptoms arise.
How to Protect Yourself from Air Pollution
As these local wildfires and wind conditions continue in Los Angeles County, Via Care advises all individuals in the larger region to protect themselves from the harmful air conditions by:
- Remaining indoors with doors and windows closed
- Avoiding vigorous physical activity, especially any outdoor activity
- Run your air conditioner if you have one and make sure it has a clean filter. Close the fresh air intake if your air conditioner has the option so that it is recirculating the indoor air to prevent bringing in any exterior air inside. A higher efficiency air filter (i.e. higher MERV rating) will filter out more smoke particles.
- Create a space in your home with filtered air, by using a portable high-efficiency or HEPA air cleaner while keeping doors and windows closed. This can be a room where you spend a lot of time, such as a bedroom.
- Avoid using a whole-house fan or a swamp cooler with an outside air intake.
- If you can stay cool without them, avoid using a whole-house fan or a swamp cooler with an outside air intake.
- If you must be outdoors, keep it brief and wear a mask (N-95 or P-100). These respiratory masks can offer some protection from smoke particles if they are worn properly and have a tight fit.

How to Make a DIY Air Cleaner
If you do not have an air conditioner or air purifier, a DIY air cleaner has proven to be an effective and cost-conscious way to improve indoor air quality during a wildfire. The simplest form of a DIY air cleaner involves attaching an air filter to a box fan using duct tape, clamps or bungee cords. For more effective DIY air cleaners, a cardboard shroud, cutout and more air filters can be added. Read more here on how to construct your own DIY air cleaner

Where to Find Masks in Los Angeles County
During this wildfire, one of the best ways to protect yourself is by wearing a N95 mask when outdoors. As of the publishing of this post, FREE N95 masks available at:
- All Los Angeles Public Libraries
- All LA Care Community Resource Centers
- Local GAP, Banana Republic and Athleta stores courtesy of Direct Relief
N95 masks are also sold at local retailers like:
If you experience any respiratory issuesโฆ
Please contact Via Care if you experience any respiratory issues related to the wildfire smoke. We are here to care for those in need.
We have telehealth and in-person appointments available at all clinics. The Via Care Urgent Care in South Gate has same-day availability to treat any urgent health care needs. All of our clinics also offer walk-in appointments.
Please contact us at one of the below numbers:
East Los Angeles โ (323) 268-9191
South Gate โ (323) 825-8300
Bellflower โ (562) 270-4100
Via Care Urgent Care โ (323) 800-3082
We are here for you during these difficult times. Stay safe LA.
Sources
https://lapublicpress.org/2025/01/toxic-exposure-fire-air-quality-pollution
https://www.aqmd.gov/home/air-quality/wildfire-health-info-smoke-tips
https://www.epa.gov/air-research/research-diy-air-cleaners-reduce-wildfire-smoke-indoors#FAQ