Two leaf blowers on a street in South Pasadena (Photo – William J. Kelly)
Following the temporary ban on power air blowers due to poor air quality from nearby wildfires, conditions have improved as the fires have been contained, reducing hazardous smoke and particulate matter throughout Los Angeles County. As a result, the Los Angeles County Health Department has updated the Health Officer Order issued on January 10.
By News Desk
The revised order now restricts the use of power air blowers only within the Palisades and Eaton Wildfire Perimeter Areas, as defined by CAL FIRE and The Wildland Fire Interagency Geospatial Services (WFIGS) Group.
This updated order will remain in effect until the County Health Officer determines that recovery efforts have reached a stage where the use of air-blowing devices will no longer pose a risk to the health of residents and workers in these areas.
Consider alternatives to power air blowers
Although Los Angeles County residents are now allowed to use power air blowers throughout most areas of the county, except for the Palisades and Eaton wildfire perimeter zones, the County Health Officer has issued a recommendation for those cleaning areas with significant ash and dust buildup to consider alternatives to power air blowers, such as gentle sweeping, wet mopping, or using HEPA vacuums to remove debris.
In areas where concerning levels of ash and dust remain, the County Health Officer advises extra precautions. Residents should always wear respiratory protection, as well as eye and skin protection, to minimize exposure to harmful particles. These measures are crucial to protecting public health while fire recovery efforts continue.
Tips for humans
Follow these recommendations to protect yourself and your family from harmful effects of bad air quality:
- If you see or smell smoke, or notice particles and ash in the air, stay indoors to limit exposure, especially if you have heart or lung conditions, are elderly, or have children, to reduce your risk exposure to particles and smoke.
- Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors. Use air conditioners that recirculate air to filter out harmful particles.
- Wear an N95 or P100 mask if you must go outside in smoky conditions for long periods of time in areas where you see or smell smoke or ash present in the air.
- Avoid air conditioners that only bring in outside air and don’t recirculate. Check and replace air filters regularly. Filters labeled “MERV13” or higher are most effective for removing smoke particles. HEPA air purifiers can further reduce indoor particles.
- If it’s too hot to keep windows and doors closed and you don’t have an air conditioner, go to a public place like a library or shopping center to stay cool and protect yourself from harmful air.
- Avoid using fireplaces, candles, or vacuums. Clean dusty surfaces with a damp cloth and don’t smoke.
- If you experience symptoms like severe coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, palpitations, nausea, or unusual fatigue, contact your doctor or go to urgent care. For life-threatening symptoms, call 911.
- As a reminder, follow the ash clean-up instructions at this link.
Tips for pets
- Avoid leaving your pets outdoors, particularly at night. Pets should be brought into an indoor location, such as an enclosed garage or a house.
- If dogs or cats appear to be in respiratory distress, they should be taken to an animal hospital immediately. Symptoms of respiratory distress for dogs and cats include coughing or gagging, difficulty breathing, including open mouth or increased noise when breathing (asthma like symptoms) Symptoms for cats are less noticeable.
- Additional information can be found at this link.
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