Today approximately 14,000 firefighters are battling 28 major wildfires across California. This year, wildfires have now burned over 2.5 million acres in California. There have been 8 fatalities and over 3,700 structures destroyed.
LA County's Department of Public Health is urging county residents to pay attention to their immediate environment and take precautions to safeguard their health. These precautions are particularly important for children, older adults, and people with heart or lung diseases.
According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, smoke from the Bobcat Fire burning in the region has caused unhealthy air quality.
Wildfire smoke is a mixture of small particles, gases, and water vapor. Small particles are the primary health concern. They can cause burning eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, headaches, and illness (i.e., bronchitis). In people with sensitive conditions, they can cause difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, fatigue, and chest pain.
Here is a list of recommendations for protecting yourself, your family and pets from the harmful effects of our current unhealthy air quality.
People can participate in indoor activities in areas with visible smoke, soot, or ash, provided the indoor location has air conditioning that does not draw air from the outside, and it has closed windows and doors to protect the cleanliness of indoor air. If not, it is recommended that everyone follow these guidelines as if they were outside.
- If you see or smell smoke, or see a lot of particles and ash in the air, avoid unnecessary outdoor activity to limit your exposure to harmful air. This is especially important for those with heart or lung disease (including asthma), the elderly and children.
- If outdoor air is bad, try to keep indoor air as clean as possible by keeping windows and doors closed. Air conditioners that re-circulate air within the home can help filter out harmful particles.
- Avoid using air conditioning units that only draw in air from the outside or that do not have a re-circulating option. Residents should check the filters on their air conditioners and replace them regularly. Indoor air filtration devices with HEPA filters can further reduce the level of particles that circulate indoors.
- If it is too hot during the day to keep the doors or windows closed and you do not have an air conditioning unit that re-circulates indoor air, consider going to an air-conditioned place, such as a cooling center, to stay cool and to protect yourself from harmful air.
- Do not use fireplaces (either wood burning or gas), candles, and vacuums. Use damp cloths to clean dusty indoor surfaces. Do not smoke.
- If you have symptoms of lung or heart disease that may be related to smoke exposure, including severe coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea or unusual fatigue or lightheadedness, contact your doctor immediately or go to an urgent care center. If life- threatening, please contact 911.
- When smoke is heavy for a prolonged period of time, fine particles can build up indoors even though you may not be able to see them. Wearing a mask may prevent exposures to large particles. However, most masks do not prevent exposure to fine particles and toxic gases, which may be more dangerous to your health.
- Practice safe clean-up following a fire. Follow the ash clean-up and food safety instructions at: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/docs/ReturningHomeAfterAFire.pdf
The following is recommended for pets:
- Avoid leaving your pets outdoors, particularly at night. Pets should be brought into an indoor location, such as an enclosed garage or a house.
- If dogs or cats appear to be in respiratory distress, they should be taken to an animal hospital immediately. Symptoms of respiratory distress for dogs include panting or an inability to catch their breath. Symptoms for cats are less noticeable, but may include panting or an inability to catch their breath.
VOLUNTEER
Along with protecting ourselves, let us help keep others safe by volunteering for the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region activated COVID-19 Disaster Reserve to open a Temporary Evacuation Point (TEP) at Santa Anita Park (285 West Huntington Dr. Arcadia, CA 91007) for those affected by the Bobcat Fire in Angeles National Forest. The TEP is a rest site for residents to gather and assess their needs and for the Red Cross to present lodging options.
Volunteers also provided water, snacks and COVID-19 safety resources while following CDC and Department of Public Health guidelines to protect against the coronavirus. This includes wearing masks, social distancing, temperature checks and frequent sanitization.
As you know, the peak of the wildfire season usually falls in October. The American Red Cross will need more volunteers to help support the community. Register today to become a member of the COVID-19 Disaster Reserve or, if you already pre-qualified, sign up to support the current Disaster Response Operation.
If you think your friends or loved ones may also be interested in joining the COVID-19 reserve, please direct them to visit redcross.org/la-covid
Register as a COVID-19 Disaster Reserve Volunteer
The Red Cross is preparing additional health protocols to ensure that any evacuation point or shelter is a safe place to stay during the COVID-19 pandemic.
More volunteers are needed to carry out these protocols to ensure we provide comfort and care safely to those who need it most.
Volunteers who join the COVID-19 Disaster Reserve must be willing to work in-person in a COVID-19 disaster shelter before, during and/or after a disaster event like a wildfire or earthquake for a 5-day period. This may require you to work with your household to establish quarantine before, during and after your deployment.
Upon joining the COVID-19 Disaster Reserve, the only immediate commitment is to complete your training online, between 3 and 9 hours depending on the position. After that, the minimum commitment for a local deployment to a shelter is 5 non-consecutive days.
APPLY NOW
Pre-Qualified? Sign up for a shift.
If you have already completed your COVID-19 specialty training as well as your Shelter Services qualifications, please click the button below to register for a shift.
REGISTER
Senator Steven Bradford
Representing the 35th District
|