Rabat – Los Angeles County health authorities have warned citizens about potentially dangerous wildfire smoke, urging them to stay inside.
Speaking at a press conference, Anish Mahajan of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, said “We are all experiencing this wildfire smoke, which is a mix of small particles, gasses, and water vapors.”
Elaborating on the situation, the health official explained that this has to do with “those small particles “that get into our noses and throats,” adding that they are the reason behind “sore throats and headaches.”
He further asked people living in concerned areas, blanketed with the dangerous smoke to “limit outdoor exposure as much as possible.”
As for people who have to go outside for work, Mahajan advised wearing an N95 mask to help filter out the small particles to avoid them entering the body.
He especially urged vulnerable populations, especially the young, old, and sick, to be cautious during this hard time.
The official partially warned the immunocompromised and those with respiratory and heart conditions to be careful and minimize exposure to the air in the affected areas.
The devastating wildfires in LA have claimed at least 16 people in the blazes and have forced over 150,000 residents to be evacuated.
The fires have ravaged entire communities, destroying over 12,000 structures so far, as firefighters are racing against the clock to contain the blaze amid strong winds forecast in the coming days.
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LA County authorities have issued warnings against looters taking advantage of the evacuation measures to steal people’s belongings, vowing to crack them down.
Authorities are also warning people to be on the lookout for arsonists, as there have been varying reports of people starting new fires themselves amidst the chaos.
Despite the urgent evacuation orders, many residents hesitate to leave their homes, fearful of looters and wishing to safeguard their valuables up to the very last possible second.
