Precautions for Local Residents

Exposure to smoke and ash from the wildfires remains a potential health concern. Ash is typically visible to the naked eye either in the air or on outdoor surfaces.

The public should take precautions when any one of the following occurs:

• Air Quality Index (AQI) Levels are elevated
• You smell Smoke
• You see Ash

Precautions include:

• Limiting your exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed or seeking alternate shelter.
• If you have to be outside, wearing an N-95 mask can provide some protection.
• Avoiding vigorous physical activity.
• Running your HVAC system and/or an air purifier.
• If possible, do not use swamp coolers or whole house fans that bring in outside air.

Asbestos:

• Asbestos is a dangerous carcinogen that is known to be present in walls, roofing, insulation, and other parts of houses and other structures (regardless of the age of a building).
• Consequently, there is a high likelihood that asbestos will be found in debris from structures burned by the wildfires.
• Asbestos fibers can become airborne if disturbed and create a health hazard when inhaled, so any structures or items burned by the wildfires should therefore be avoided (see Precautions for Local Residents above).
• For more information, please visit South Coast AQMD’s dedicated page for Asbestos Demolition & Removal.

Avoid attempting to clean up fire debris – i.e., damaged structures, furniture, personal belongings, vehicles, vegetation, or other items that have been burned by the wildfires. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) and the Pasadena Public Health Department, issued orders prohibiting the unsafe removal, transport, and disposal of fire debris.

If it is necessary for you to clean up ash that is impacting living or work spaces in areas not damaged by fire, please use the following general precautions:

• Always put on personal protective wear (e.g., long sleeve shirts, pants, gloves and safety glasses) when you must be around ash for an extended period of time
• A well-fitting respirator, such as an N-95 mask, may provide some protection
• If you do get ash on your skin, wash it off as soon as possible
• All clothing, shoes and other protective wear should be removed, wiped or cleaned as appropriate before entering your residence
• Do not use leaf blowers or take other actions (e.g., dry sweeping) that will put ash into the air
• To clean up ash, use vacuums equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters or mist lightly with water before gently sweeping

For More Wildfire Smoke, Ash and Safety Tips, visit: https://www.aqmd.gov/wildfiretips

Air Monitoring

South Coast AQMD is working very closely with the Unified Command comprising the federal, state and local agencies that are working together on wildfire cleanup and recovery.

Air Quality Index

South Coast AQMD provides information about regional air quality through an existing air monitoring network that includes regulatory monitors, portable instruments and private sensors. This includes regional pollutants such as ozone, particulates (found in wildfire smoke and dust), sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.

Real time air quality information can be found on South Coast AQMD’s AQI Map at: https://www.aqmd.gov/aqimap
Sign up for air quality advisories at: https://www.airalerts.org

Download our free mobile app (available in English and Spanish) at: https://www.aqmd.gov/mobileapp

Expanded Air Monitoring Efforts

On January 31, 2025, South Coast AQMD began air monitoring efforts in the burn scars and surrounding communities of the Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire. Debris removal could cause hazardous dust and ash to become airborne. This initiative, supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and, in close coordination with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), will assess air quality during debris removal or other activities. South Coast AQMD’s monitoring efforts will occur in two key stages. 

• Stage One: Mobile Monitoring of Air Toxics: Four mobile monitoring surveys will be conducted. Two in the Eaton Fire area and two in the Palisades Fire area. Mobile monitors provide instantaneous measurements for air toxic metals and volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and will be used to identify potential areas of elevated pollutants near the Eaton and Palisades Fire areas. Results of the mobile monitoring will help identify locations for temporary air monitoring stations.

• Stage Two: Stationary Air Monitoring: Placement of air monitoring stations will be determined based on mobile monitoring results, cleanup activity, sensitive receptors (such as residents and schools) and meteorological conditions. These stations will include air monitors that will provide data for particulate matter (PM), lead, arsenic, and asbestos in communities near the burn zones.  South Coast AQMD is planning to conduct this initial stationary air monitoring for one month.  

Mobile Air Monitoring Results

Eaton Fire Area 
January 31, 2025: A mobile survey was conducted in the Eaton Fire area near cleanup and re-populated zones. The survey measured for air toxic metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). One more mobile survey is planned for the Eaton Fire area. Please note, these surveys capture a snapshot in time.

Results show no elevated levels of:

• Air toxic metals including lead and arsenic (Figures 1 and 2)
• VOCs including benzene (Figure 3)

The full list of pollutants measured can be found here.

Overall, the results were within background levels (air quality on a typical day) and below national standards and state health thresholds. Some elevated levels of methane, possibly from gas leaks (Figure 4), were detected. These results were reported to utilities and public health agencies for further investigation.

1/31/2025 (Click map below to enlarge)

 

 

 

 

Palisades Fire Area
February 10, 2025: A mobile survey was conducted in the Palisades Fire area near cleanup and re-populated zones. The survey measured for air toxic metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). One more mobile survey is planned for the Palisades Fire area. Please note, these surveys capture a snapshot in time.

Results show no elevated levels of:

• Air toxic metals including lead and arsenic (Figures 5 and 6)
• VOCs including benzene (Figure 7)

The full list of pollutants measured can be found here.

Overall, the results were within background levels (air quality on a typical day) and below national standards and state health thresholds. One elevated level of methane, possibly from a gas leak (Figure 8), was detected and reported to utilities and public health agencies for further investigation.

2/10/2025 (Click map below to enlarge)

 

 

 

 

Stationary Air Monitoring (New)

Two stationary air monitoring sites were identified to support cleanup efforts following the Eaton and Palisades fires. Additional sites will be deployed following the second round of mobile surveys. The sites were chosen based on first survey results, cleanup activity, proximity to sensitive receptors (such as residents and schools), meteorological conditions, and access to power and security for the monitoring equipment.  Data from these sites will help evaluate potential health impacts to communities close to cleanup activities and provide information on air quality conditions in the vicinity of staging areas and truck routes.

For the next 30 days, the sites will monitor particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), air toxic metals and asbestos. 

Site Locations

• Eaton Fire: Near Altadena Golf Course within the impacted community, close to key staging areas. 
• Palisades Fire: Near Will Rogers State Beach within the impacted community where significant structural damage occurred. 

Air Sampling and Data Reporting 

• Continuous Monitoring: The site measures PM2.5 and PM10 hourly. Results will be available daily.
• Scheduled Sampling: Air toxic metals and asbestos will be sampled every three days. The monitors collect an air sample continuously over a 24-hour period. The samples are then collected and delivered for expedited laboratory analysis. Data will be available approximately one week after collection.

Regional Air Toxic Metals

• South Coast AQMD conducts lead measurements at seven locations throughout the Basin, as part of its overall, ongoing air monitoring program.
• Lead, arsenic, and other air toxic metals are also measured at several sites in Los Angeles County.
• These sites are part of South Coast AQMD’s routine air monitoring network and are not specific to the wildfire response.
• Data from these sites should not be used to draw conclusions on levels of air toxics within the burn areas.
• The Palisades and Eaton fires both began on January 7, 2025. Data analyzed between January 7 and January 11 from air monitors impacted by the smoke plume show that air toxic metals (e.g., arsenic and lead) were highly elevated, even compared to other fires in our region that occurred in non-urban areas (i.e., Bridge and Rabbit fires).
• After January 12, air toxic metals have decreased significantly and are now generally similar to pre-fire levels.

• Additional analysis was conducted to compare measured regional air toxic levels and reported AQI values.
• In areas downwind of the fires, preliminary analysis shows that when levels of air toxic metals increased, AQI also increased. At the Huntington Park monitor, when levels of air toxic metals were above typical levels, the AQI was “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” or worse 98% of the time.

Additional Resources

The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (U.S. EPA) 2025 Southern California Wildfire Response webpage
Los Angeles County’s LA County Recovers includes various online resources, such as interactive maps for each fire, Frequently Asked Questions, and links to community assistance programs.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Heath LADPH has also created online resources