For immediate release from CDPH.
Contact: media@cdph.ca.gov
What You Need to Know: Multiple wildfires are burning in the Los Angeles area. Smoke and ash from wildfires can be unhealthy, particularly for vulnerable people such as older adults, children, people with respiratory illness or asthmas and pregnant people. To reduce the risk of health problems associated with wildfires, people are encouraged to stay indoors and reduce outdoor activity.
Sacramento — As part of a statewide response to multiple wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón is urging Californians in areas affected by wildfire smoke to take steps to protect their health, including staying indoors and reducing outdoor activity if necessary to avoid the inhalation of smoke and ash. Californians can check their local air quality index (AQI) at EPA AirNow.
“Wildfires, and the resulting smoke and ash, can be particularly unhealthy for vulnerable people, including children, older adults, those with respiratory illness or asthma, and pregnant people,” said Dr. Aragón. “Californians should be aware of the risks of wildfire smoke and ash inhalation. Vulnerable people, especially children, older adults, and those who are pregnant should reduce outdoor activity and stay indoors, if possible” …