ORLANDO, Fla. – Smoke from the intense wildfires in southern California is quickly filling city skylines, creating a dense haze.
The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings until Thursday because of a powerful north to northeast windstorm. This storm is expected to cause severe fire risks in many parts of Los Angeles and eastern Ventura counties.
As the wildfires continue to rage, the smoke is not only causing poor visibility but also making the air unsafe to breathe for many residents.
AirNow.gov, a reliable source for air quality updates, has labeled the entire Los Angeles area as having “hazardous” air quality.
This is the worst possible rating on the air quality scale, which means that nearly everyone in the affected region could experience adverse effects from breathing the polluted air.
People with pre-existing health conditions, children, and older adults are particularly at risk, but even healthy individuals may start to feel the impacts, including coughing, shortness of breath, and eye irritation.
In areas outside of Los Angeles, air quality has improved to a “moderate” level, which is still not ideal but safer for most people. However, those who are particularly sensitive to air pollution, such as those with asthma or other lung conditions, might still feel the effects. It’s a stark reminder of how devastating the current wildfires are to both the environment and public health.
As the situation develops, residents are advised to keep track of air quality updates, stay inside as much as possible, and take appropriate precautions if they must go outdoors.