Wildfires spread across Los Angeles

Last week, several large wildfires erupted across Los Angeles, leaving significant destruction and damage in their wake. So far, three fires (the Woodley fire, Sunswept fire, and Lidia fire) have been contained, but three others (the Palisades fire, Eaton fire, and Hurst fire) are still active. Another fire, the Auto fire, began late Monday night in Ventura County.

The Palisades fire, which is the largest blaze, has burned more than 23,000 acres, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history. As of Jan. 15, it was only 19% contained and continues to threaten Brentwood, Encino, and Westwood. Combined, the fires have destroyed 40,000 acres and over 12,300 structures in the Greater Los Angeles area.

Currently, evacuation orders are in effect for 88,000 Los Angeles residents, and an additional 89,000 people are in evacuation warning zones. Los Angeles County has also declared a public health emergency due to the fires, warning that smoke and particulate matter could impact people's immediate and long-term health.

Wildfire smoke has been associated with a higher risk of cardiac arrest and stroke and is especially dangerous for people with conditions like asthma or COPD. Many hospitals across Los Angeles County have also reported treating patients for burns, smoke inhalation, and eye irritation in their emergency rooms.

Afif El-Hasan, a pediatric asthma doctor in California and spokesperson for the American Lung Association, noted that wildfires "don't just burn what's wild, [they] also burn manmade structures. Not only does that give off ash and all these particles, but you also have chemicals being given off."

"It's just a toxic soup," said Lisa Miller, a wildfire smoke expert at the University of California, Davis. "Think of all the synthetic fibers that are present in your living room — in your couch, in your carpet, in your clothes. All those things can be particularly toxic" if they go up in smoke.

Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) also shared an update on its website that at least nine of its clinics are still closed, including those in Arcadia, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, and Los Angeles.

Other hospitals, such as Glendale Memorial Hospital, USC Verdugo Hills, and Providence St. John's, have either canceled elective surgeries or temporarily halted nonemergency surgeries.

Meanwhile, some health clinics, including St. John's Physician Partners, have been destroyed by the fires. Others are in areas with evacuation warnings, so they have been calling other hospitals to find space for any potentially displaced patients.

"All hospitals in close proximity to the fires remain on high alert and are prepared to evacuate if conditions worsen," said the Hospital Association of Southern California. "The fires are creating significant operational hurdles."

Emergency services have also been strained by high call volumes, and road closures have made it difficult to transport patients, supplies, and healthcare workers. Many healthcare workers have also been impacted by evacuations or have lost their homes, making it difficult for some facilities to ensure adequate staffing.

However, many healthcare workers have also come in to assist with patient care or potential evacuation orders despite their own challenges with the wildfires.

"We all felt very strongly that we needed to take care of our patients — no matter what's happening to us physically and emotionally, what's happening to our houses — that we need to make sure that the people we serve were taken care of," said Ravi Salgia, an oncologist at City of Hope National Medical Center.

"There's obviously so much help that's needed," said Christine Kirmsse, an RN who evacuated her home in Santa Monica last Wednesday. "And it's important to me because I have the skills to be able to help. In times like this, this is when community is the most powerful."