Long Beach health officials warn of poor air quality fueled by wildfires

As numerous fires rage across the region, air quality has already reached “potentially unhealthy levels” in parts of Long Beach Wednesday and is expected to get worse, health officials warned. 

On Tuesday, three fires erupted across Los Angeles County and spread rapidly, fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds. On Wednesday, two more fires broke out in LA and Ventura counties. In total, the fires have burned nearly 27,000 acres.

While Long Beach residents remain safe from the dangers of the fires themselves, local health officials are warning of dangerous air pollution settling over the city as a result.

"Poor air quality due to wildfire smoke can have a variety of health effects, including respiratory problems, skin and eye irritation, heart problems and headaches, among other effects,” said City Health Officer Dr. Anissa Davis.

Davis urged residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in all areas where they can see or smell smoke. Health officials also said people should:

• Avoid vigorous activities, both outdoors and indoors;
• Remain indoors with doors and windows closed, especially those with respiratory or heart disease, people who are pregnant, older adults and children;
• Change air filters and run central air if available;
• Avoid using swamp coolers or whole-house fans;
• Not use wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces.

According to AccuWeather, air quality in Long Beach is “unhealthy,” with high levels of PM10 and PM2.5, which are inhalable particulate matter that pose significant health risks.

The pollutants are associated with “premature mortality, increased hospital admissions for heart or lung causes, acute and chronic bronchitis, asthma attacks, emergency room visits, respiratory symptoms, and restricted activity days,” according to the California Air Resources Board. The effects are typically reported in infants, children and older adults with preexisting conditions, the agency noted.

The fires are continuing a weeks-long stint of unusually dirty air in the region.

The Pacific Palisades fire broke out first around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday and has burned more than 15,832 acres, according to CalFire. During a press conference Wednesday morning, LA County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said there have been no fatalities reported, as the fire continues to spread at 0% containment.

“[There are] a high number of significant injuries to residents who did not evacuate, in addition to first responders who are on the fireline,” Maronne said, adding that more than 1,000 personnel are fighting the blaze, which remains under investigation.

The LA County Fire Department operational area consists of 29 separate fire departments, all of which have “no fire apparatus or additional personnel to spare,” according to Maronne, who said he has requested mutual aid from five counties. Maronne said he also requested 50 engine strike teams of 250 engines and 1,000 personnel from the state as well as resources from out of state.

“Thank you to the first responders from Nevada, Oregon and Washington state that are already on the road coming to LA County to assist,” Maronne said, adding that the National Weather Service predicts continued strong winds and low humidity, “placing all residents of Los Angeles County in danger.”

On Tuesday night, the Long Beach Fire Department announced it had deployed 14 firefighters to assist with the Palisades fire. On Wednesday morning, 21 more Long Beach firefighters were dispatched to help battle the Eaton fire, according to LBFD officials.

The Long Beach Police Department is also providing mutual support, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said.

Richardson also assured residents that the LBFD and LBPD are maintaining staffing to “support calls for service in our community.”

He added that the LBFD continues to make Long Beach a priority while offering support to other jurisdictions.

Two civilians have died as a result of the Eaton fire, which broke out Tuesday night in the hills above Altadena and has burned more than 10,600 acres, according Marrone. Over 500 personnel are assigned to the fire, he said, adding that there have been “a number of significant injuries.”

The Hurst fire, meanwhile, has burned over 500 acres near Sylmar since Tuesday.

Two more fires have broken out in LA and Ventura counties, according to CalFire. The more than 75-acre Woodley Fire broke out Wednesday morning and is burning near the Sepulveda Basin in the San Fernando Valley, according to CBS News. A small brush fire, meanwhile, burned 11 acres on the Ventura coast, the Ventura County Star reported.

Combined, the fires have destroyed more than 1,100 homes, businesses and other buildings, according to officials.

On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom visited the Pacific Palisades and quickly declared a state of emergency and grant funding from FEMA. Early Wednesday morning, Newsom announced the state has deployed more than 1,400 firefighters and hundreds of “prepositioned assets.”

President Joe Biden arrived in LA County Wednesday morning to receive an in-person brief on the wildfires. The White House said it is deploying resources to the county, including five U.S. Forest Service air tankers, 10 federal firefighting helicopters and dozens of fire engines from the Forest Service. Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service has prepositioned dozens of fire engines standing ready for deployment.

“We’re prepared to do anything and everything for as long as it takes to contain these fires and help reconstruct the impacted homes,” Biden said during a press conference. “It’s going to be a helluva long way, it’s gonna take time.”