Martin Feinberg, Culver City Realtor, notes that officials in Southern California have offered warnings this week concerning unhealthy air quality within the Culver City Real Estate area and parts of the LA County coast, the San Fernando Valley, the Santa Clarita Valley, the San Gabriel Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains, and the Pomona-Walnut Valley. As most residents are aware, the poor air is being caused by the Woolsey Fire, which has burned over 85,000 acres and destroyed roughly 200 buildings so far.
The smoke is worse nearest the Woolsey fire, in the western San Fernando Valley and northwest coastal Los Angeles County but all area residents are being asked to avoid unnecessary outdoor activity and to limit physical exertion both inside and outside. Officials are also warning residents that paper dust masks will do nothing against smoke particulates, as they are meant to stop large particles such as sawdust.
According to the health department, “Wildfire smoke is dangerous because it is “a mixture of small particles made of gases and water vapor that cause a myriad of symptoms from itching and burning eyes, runny nose and dry throat to more serious conditions such as bronchitis.” People with sensitive health conditions need to be especially wary. The particles can cause difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, fatigue, and chest pain.
“It is difficult to tell where ash or soot from a fire will go, or how winds will affect the level of dust particles in the air, so we ask everyone to be aware of their immediate environment and to take actions to safeguard their health,” said Dr. Muntu Davis, health officer for Los Angeles County.
Davis stated, “Smoke and ash can be harmful to health, even people who are healthy. People at higher risk include those with heart or lung diseases, children and older adults.”
Martin Feinberg, Realtor, also notes that Davis is “advising schools and recreational programs that are in session in smoke-impacted areas to suspend outside physical activities in these areas, including physical education and after- school sports, until conditions improve. Non-school-related sports organizations for children and adults are advised to cancel outdoor practices and competitions in areas where there is visible smoke, soot or ash, or where there is an smell of smoke. This also applies to other recreational outdoor activity, such as hikes or picnics, in these areas.”
According to DPH, “people can participate in indoor sports or other strenuous activity in areas with visible smoke, soot or ash, provided the indoor location has air conditioning that does not draw air from the outside and all windows and doors are closed.”