Wildfires burning throughout Southern California were blanketing the skies Tuesday over the Inland Empire with smoke and ash, creating unhealthy air quality and prompting health warnings.
Large blazes in western Riverside and San Bernardino counties have resulted in evacuations, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District has reported poor air quality resulting in “very unhealthy” conditions the region.
Smoke from wildfires can cause burning eyes, runny nose, shortness of breath, scratchy throat, headaches and chest pains, and it can also worsen chronic heart and lung disease, officials said.
“Residents, especially those with chronic health conditions, need to be aware of the risks of breathing unhealthy air and take steps to keep safe,” Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Geoffrey Leung said in a statement.
People who have a higher risk include pregnant women, children, older adults, first responders and those with chronic health conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease.