ANCHOR: THE VAST PLUMES OF SMOKE AND ASH FROM THESE FIRES ARE THREATENING THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE MILES AWAY.
IT'S LED BOTH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND LOS ANGELES COUNTY TO DECLARE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES.
ALI ROGIN SPOKE WITH DOCTOR RUSSELL BUHR WHO IS THE ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH AT UCLA.
REPORTER: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
YOU HAVE LIVED ON THE WEST COAST FOR A LONG TIME.
HOW DOES THIS FIRE COMPARED TO OTHERS YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED AND WHAT KINDS OF SYMPTOMS ARE FOLKS PRESENTING IN YOUR CLINICAL PRACTICE RIGHT NOW?
>> IT IS BEEN A VERY BUSY FEW DAYS.
LOTS OF FOLKS COMING INTO THE CLINIC FEELING MORE CHEST TIGHTNESS.
IN GENERAL JUST WORSE THAN THEIR BASELINE.
WE HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO OPTIMIZE RESPIRATORY MEDICATIONS TO COMPENSATE FOR THAT.
AND COUNSELING ON HOW TO BEST KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE GIVEN THESE DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES WE ARE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW.
REPORTER: WHAT KIND OF HEALTH ISSUES TEND TO CROP UP WHEN THERE ARE FIRES LIKE THIS?
>> WE WORRY MOST ABOUT PEOPLE WITH A LUNG DISEASE.
IT CAN WORK ITS WAY DOWN INTO THE DEEPEST PARTS OF THE LOAN.
AND TRANSMIT THROUGH THE LONG.
THAT CAN AFFECT PEOPLE WITHOUT PRE-EXISTING LUNG DISEASE.
IF PEOPLE CANNOT GET ENOUGH OXYGEN IN THEIR BODY.
EVEN IF YOU ARE A SEASONED ATHLETE, THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE GOING OUTSIDE AND TAKING A HIKE TO SEE IF YOU CAN SEE THE FIRE.
THIS IS AFFECTING EVERYONE.
MY ALLERGIES ARE ACTING UP AND I HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN OUTSIDE TODAY.
REPORTER: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE EFFORTS FOR HOW PEOPLE CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES?
>> FOR THE MOST PART, WE ENCOURAGE YOU, IF YOU DO NOT NEED TO GO OUTSIDE FOR SOMETHING RIGHT NOW, TRY TO STAY INDOORS.
IF YOU HAVE CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING, USUALLY THERE IS A FILTER.
THAT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF A HIGH EFFICIENCY.
A HEPA FILTER IN THE BEDROOM AT NIGHT, WHERE YOU WILL SPEND MOST OF YOUR TIME, COULD MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.
FOR THOSE WHO NEED TO GO OUTSIDE , YOU SHOULD BE WEARING A MOUSE.
IT HAS PORES THAT ARE SMALL ENOUGH.
ONCE YOU ARE IN YOUR CAR, MOST OF THEM HAVE AN AIR FILTER.
IT IS REALLY JUST IF YOU WILL BE OUT WALKING AROUND DOING YOUR SHOPPING.
YOU NEED TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL.
REPORTER: GREAT ADVICE FOR EVERYBODY.
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