By Ross Brenneman, Megan Garvey , and LAist Staff for LAist
Originally published on Jan. 8, 2025 and updated on June 18, 2026
When fires tear through Southern California, even areas that aren’t under direct threat from the flames can get engulfed in smoke.
Public health officials said during January 2025’s Palisades and Eaton fires that when fires get bad, they can cause “significant health and safety risks for residents.”
Here’s how to handle the poor air quality.
How bad is the air?
The South Coast Air Quality Management District monitors particulates in our region. (This is reflected in the Air Quality Index, or AQI.) SCAQMD says much of the Los Angeles basin’s air is unhealthy for sensitive people. And the closer you get to the fire, the worse it gets.
For an up-to-date map of current conditions, go here.
See also: Does a ‘good’ Air Quality Index rating mean it’s safe to be outdoors?
Should I be worried?
Even if you don’t live or work near a major fire, you can still be affected by smoke particles in the air. So, what’s in that smoke, and how much should you worry about it?
Depending on the fire, the smoke can be made up of various substances, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water vapor, particulate matter, organic chemicals, nitrogen oxides, and more. Exposure to smoke can cause a range of health effects, from eye and lung irritation to asthma and premature death.
Those especially sensitive to smoke include:
- People with asthma
- People with cardiovascular diseases
- People with respiratory diseases
- The elderly
- Young children
- Pregnant women
Particulate matter is the main public health threat during short-term exposure to wildfire smoke, so it’s crucial to protect yourself.
See also: What parents should know about wildfire air quality, ash, and protecting kids
What should I do?
Thinking of going outside? Don’t. It’s best to stay inside with the air conditioner on. And you’re going to want filtered air. Many evaporative cooling systems, aka “swamp coolers,” don’t filter the air.
Once you turn on the cool, filtered air, keep the doors and windows closed to keep the unhealthy air outside. You’re also going to want to avoid vigorous activity — anything that makes you breathe deeply.
Do not use any indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances or fireplaces. And when smoke subsides, you should air out your home to clear any polluted air that might be trapped inside.
But what if you’re stuck in a car or driving through areas of smoke? Same deal. Close the windows and doors and run your car’s air conditioner. AQMD says that carbon dioxide levels can spike quickly in newer cars if vents and windows are closed and the circulation setting is on, so crack the windows once you’re in there for a while to prevent grogginess.
How to protect yourself
Here’s advice from AQMD:
- Avoid using indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces.
- Avoid vigorous physical activity.
- Keep windows and doors closed.
- Avoid using a swamp cooler or other fan that brings in outside air.
- Use an N-95 or P-100 mask when going outside.
“Even in areas far from fires or areas not covered by a smoke advisory, if you can smell smoke or see ash from a wildfire, avoid or limit outdoor activities,” the organization warned.
Previous reporting by Michelle Faust Raghavan, Michelle Lanz, Brian Frank and Megan Larson
