Is Wildfire Smoke Dangerous for Health?
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What is wildfire smoke, why is it dangerous for human health, and why has it been the subject of news in Canada, the Northeastern coast of the United States, the midwest, and most recently L.A.?
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What Should We Learn from the Los Angeles Wildfires?
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In early January 2025, two major Los Angeles wildfires broke out – in the Palisades and Eaton areas of the infamous Southern Californian city.
California is no stranger to wildfires and its deleterious effects, having experienced one of the most devastating wildfires of all time back in November of 2018 – where many celebrities including Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth lost their homes.
👉 However, these recent Los Angeles wildfires have highlighted the growing concern for rising temperatures – and how even large cities such as Los Angeles may find these natural disasters becoming unsustainable as we hurdle toward a warming planet.
In this article, we’ll explain how the wildfires in L.A. started, how they impact society, and how the city of Los Angeles can move forward.
How did the Los Angeles wildfires start?
The Los Angeles wildfires started on January 7th 2025, with two major wildfires occurring in the area – including in the Palisades and Eaton neighborhoods. The main cause for these wildfires
💡 As of January 13th, 2025 – the total amount of area burned from the Los Angeles wildfires is greater than the city of Paris itself, with nearly 60 square miles of land falling subject to the wildfires, where Paris is only around 40 square miles.
In fact, the Palisades fire alone encompasses a whopping 37 square miles – making it as large as cities like Paris and San Francisco themselves. This reveals the colossal impact that not only the Palisades and Eaton neighborhoods of L.A. must endure, but the surrounding areas in Los Angeles county – as an air quality alert was issued for Los Angeles county in the midst of the wildfires.
“ “The Los Angeles wildfires occurring at the start of 2025 alone demonstrate how none of us are safe from the erratic effects of climate change – with over 105,000 residents of Los Angeles being ordered to evacuate and 24 people having lost their lives from these wildfires.” ”
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How did the wildfires in L.A. start?
The most recent wildfires in Los Angeles started as a small flame, presumably from New Year’s Eve as the first initial fire was discovered on New Year’s day – originating as a New Year's Eve fire.
This was deduced from the fact that there was evidence of people staying in the area surrounding Skull Rock, which often attracts teenagers and partyers – as there was leftover glass near the scene of the first fire.
However, it is important to remember that the Palisades and Eaton wildfires were caused by several factors – such as strong Santa Ana winds reaching up to 70 mph, which helped to spread the flames faster. Furthermore, the Southern California area has experienced an exceptionally dry season – providing optimal conditions to fuel wildfires.
👉 In terms of wildfires in California as a whole, the impact of power lines across the state and their contribution to wildfires has been studied – with the New York Times revealing that over 3,600 wildfires have happened in California in conjunction with complications from power lines.
What impact did the Los Angeles wildfires have on residents of L.A.?
The Los Angeles community has already lost thousands of buildings and even some lives as a result of the wildfires, putting over 100,000 residents of Los Angeles in an emotionally and physically challenging position to evacuate their homes.
💡However, one of the positive impacts that the Los Angeles wildfires have had on the L.A. community is revealing that everyone will come together in times of need – with celebrities such as Demi Lovato, Lucy Hale, and the Jonas Brothers working to share GoFund Me’s and resources for people in need during the Los Angeles wildfires.
“ “I invite you to come to California again — to meet with the Americans affected by these fires, see the devastation firsthand, and join me and others in thanking the heroic firefighters and first responders who are putting their lives on the line” – Governor Newsom in response to Trump’s theories on the Los Angeles wildfires. ”
Impact of Los Angeles Wildfires:
- Palisades Fire – Having destroyed over 420 homes and only 13% of the wildfire having been contained as of January 13th, 2025 – this has shown to be one of the most devastating wildfires and natural disasters in the state since the wildfires from November 2018.
- Eaton Fire – As of Monday, January 13th, 2025 – the Eaton wildfire has only been 27% contained. Furthermore, it has taken 16 lives, and damaged over 7,000 buildings and homes – the Eaton fires have shown to be just as consequential.
Here are some additional consequences of the Los Angeles wildfires:
- Santa Ana Winds – These strong winds will not only further fuel the existing wildfires in Southern California, but will also subject people to further health consequences such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Economic Losses – The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have destroyed thousands of buildings and counting, which in turn – can lead to a spike in insurance claims and long-term effects on business success. As the state of California alone ranks as the world’s 5th largest economy, this demonstrates how consecutive and destructive wildfires could have an impact on our global economy.
- Biodiversity & Vegetation – In an already dry region, the wildfires have made it more difficult for certain plants and animals to to survive in the Los Angeles area – impacting biodiversity and making L.A. more vulnerable to landslides and erosion.
- Realisation of Limited Resources – Most people living in California live with and accept the threat of an earthquake or wildfire, but it doesn’t mean that resources weren’t stretched thin – as emergency services were unable to help avoid the worst of the wildfires.
- Exacerbate GHG Emissions – The amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases being released as a result of burning vegetation from the Los Angeles wildfires further exacerbates the battle against climate change.
- Emotional Impact – Mass evacuations and the permanent loss of one’s home can elicit severe mental health effects such as trauma, anxiety, and depression.
👉 Over 100,000 residents of Los Angeles were ordered to evacuate their homes – and while many people living in Southern California live with and accept this as a circumstance of living in such a warm, dry climate: it still takes an emotional and physical toll packing up all of your personal belongings and needing to flee your home.
Why are these most recent Los Angeles wildfires a greater wake up call to climate change?
Although California has experienced numerous wildfires before, the most recent wildfires in Los Angeles demonstrate how the nature of natural disasters is truly out of hand – and will only continue to grow more challenging and difficult to avoid or combat as global temperatures skyrocket.
Here are some specific examples why the Los Angeles wildfires serve as a wake up call to fight against climate change:
Timing & Severity of Wildfires
Usually, January serves as the wettest month of the year in California – demonstrating how such massive and cataclysmic wildfires would only be able to occur with shifting weather patterns.
Furthermore, the wildfires coincided with abnormally high temperatures for winter in California – highlighting how climate change is a clear indicator of these erratic wildfires.
Frequency of Wildfires
As wildfire season begins to become the new norm, ecosystems and surrounding communities are left with less time to recover – whether it be financially, emotionally, or environmentally.
This allows for future wildfires to prove more destructive than the last, in the same way that falling on an already broken leg would undoubtedly be more painful.
Awareness of Climate Feedback Loops
Wildfires contribute to excess greenhouse gas emissions with the release massive amounts of CO₂, meaning that ironically – the middle of a wildfire caused by climate change, continues to support the conditions to prolong the negative effects of climate change.
In addition to this, the loss of forests and vegetation from wildfires can result in the loss of carbon sinks – which contributes to the long-term, effects of climate change.
👉 Ultimately, these recent Los Angeles wildfires demonstrate how the accelerating impacts of climate change require our utmost attention and immediate action to elicit true change – otherwise, the consequences of such natural disasters will only be more challenging to battle.
How can you stay safe during the Los Angeles wildfires?
Staying safe during the current Los Angeles wildfires includes putting out any additional fires, keeping doors and windows closed, wearing protective clothing, and keeping in touch with family, friends, and neighbors on your current situation and needs – whether they be tangible or emotional.
“ “You don’t want to open the door and get out and panic at the very last minute as the fire is approaching, because you’re not going to be able to outrun a fire.” – Daniel Berlant, Assistant Deputy Director of Cal Fire. ”
Here's how you can stay safe in the midst of the Los Angeles wildfires:
- Stay Indoors – Residents of Los Angeles, especially with underlying health conditions, should aim to stay indoors in addition to keeping windows and doors closed – opting for the use of air conditioning to filter indoor air.
- Protect Employees – The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has implored employers to protect employees from wildfire smoke exposure. This can include requiring a short-term mask mandate for employees who work outside or allowing for remote work until the air quality improves to avoid commuters from being exposed to poor air quality.
- Wear Proper Clothing – Incoming Santa Ana winds will not only make it more difficult for firefighters to put out existing fires, but could result in accidentally ingesting or inhaling fine particle matter. This means people out and about in Los Angeles should strive to wear clothing garments to protect your nose, eyes, and mouth in the coming days.
The table below will demonstrate other factors to look out for in the midst of the Los Angeles wildfires and how to stay safe:
| Factor | Details | How to Stay Safe |
|---|---|---|
| Emotional Well-Being | Wildfires can lead to stress, anxiety, and trauma. Many feel overwhelmed by the uncertainty and potential property loss. | Maintain communication with loved ones, practice stress-relief techniques like deep breathing, and consider professional help if needed. |
| Potential Health Side Effects | Smoke inhalation can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation, and worsen conditions like asthma and heart disease. | Wear an N95 mask outdoors, use air purifiers indoors, and stay informed about air quality levels through local authorities. |
| Signs of a Wildfire Approaching | Look out for heavy smoke, an orange or red sky, falling ash, and emergency alerts from local authorities. | Prepare an evacuation plan, keep emergency supplies ready, and follow evacuation orders promptly. |
| Protecting Your Home | Flying embers and heat from nearby fires can ignite structures and vegetation. | Clear debris and flammable materials from your property, seal vents, and use fire-resistant materials for roofing and siding if possible. |
| Wildfire Preparedness | Having a plan and the right resources can make evacuation smoother and reduce panic. | Pack an emergency kit with essentials like water, food, medication, and important documents. Keep gas tanks full and vehicles ready. |
| Staying Updated | Changing wind patterns and fire behavior can escalate the situation quickly. | Follow local news, weather updates, and alerts from trusted agencies like CAL FIRE or the National Weather Service. |
👉 Remember, for the most up-to-date information – it is crucial to consult the information provided by your local news outlets and official sources such as the South Coast Air Quality Management District and Cal Fire.
How can the L.A. move forward from these wildfires and protect itself in the future?
In truth, the only way for the greater Los Angeles area to protect itself from wildfires in the future is to contribute in the fight against climate change – as continued dry and skyrocketing temperatures will only make wildfires worse.
Here are some ways that Los Angeles can continue to aid in the battle against global warming and move forward from the existing wildfires:
- New Environmental Legislation – In existing to current climate legislation in the state, such as the incentive to ban the purchase of gasoline powered vehicles from 2035 onward to encourage Californians to drive EVs – the state could develop new laws to avoid hikers and partygoers from starting fires in remote areas, or new environmental regulations to further reduce emissions created by the state.
- Build Public Transportation System – Los Angeles is famous for its traffic, and with over 100,000 residents trying to evacuate – that traffic only becomes more jammed; subjecting everyone in a dangerous scenario. Returning to the idea of building a sufficient public transportation system for the area can help to reduce the GHG emissions created by cars and also provide a safe, alternative evacuation method for residents.
- Use AI & Technology – In terms of future wildfires, California can utilise AI and smart sensors to collect passive data on real-time weather and fire conditions to improve emergency preparedness and planning.
- Focus on Ecosystem Restoration – In the same way that pillars serve as structural pieces for a sturdy building, ecosystem health is pivotal to help support biodiversity and mitigate the effects of climate change. Therefore, Los Angeles should dedicate ample time and resources to replant vegetation and help surrounding wildlife following the wildfires.
Overall, the root cause of these wildfires is skyrocketing temperatures and erratic weather patterns – meaning the best way to move forward is to work towards long-term emission reduction goals, which Greenly can help with.
What About Greenly?
If reading this article on the current Los Angeles wildfires has inspired you to consider your company’s own carbon footprint, Greenly can help.
At Greenly we can help you to assess your company’s carbon footprint, and then give you the tools you need to cut down on emissions. We offer a free demo for you to better understand our platform and all that it has to offer – including assistance on how to reduce emissions, optimise energy efficiency, and more to make sure your business doesn’t contribute to devastating natural disasters.
Learn more about Greenly’s carbon management platform here.
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