Wildfire smoke during coronavirus impacts fire crews and those at home

California is in fire season and wildfire smoke pollution impacts health of fire fighters and those at home. Scientists recently discovered that exposure to smoke waves increases influenza risks the following winter, and experts fear the same may hold true for COVID.

Captain Fernando Herrera, public information officer with Riverside County Fire Department and Cal Fire said, "The longer you’re exposed to that smoke, the higher levels of concentrations of that smoke is contaminating your body, your respiratory tract."

Lung health is important to surviving coronavirus and particulate matter from wildfire smoke can weaken your defense against the virus. Anil Perumbeti, pulmonary and critical care physician at Eisenhower Health said, "Your lungs are more susceptible, or they’re just more vulnerable to getting infection."

With rising temperatures and drought conditions, wildfire seasons are starting earlier burning at a greater intensity. This year, firefighters also have to think about social distancing while on the job. Herrera said, "It’s very hard to do when we are actually engaged in firefighting because some of the work we do requires that we are right next to each other, working hand-in-hand." He added, "We have shrouds that we put over our face to cover our nose and our mouth. That helps a little bit but obviously it does not completely shut off any of the hazardous smoke or smoke that we are going to be breathing for hours." That smoke that firefighters are dealing with first hand can also travel for miles, making it to surrounding communities.

When it comes to the effects of wildfire smoke, Perumbeti said, "It can make you feel bad right away, something like an asthma attack, but it also can linger. So it can actually sit inside of your lungs for quite some time and cause a more indolent or slowly progressing changes inside of your lungs."

When air quality is bad, the best thing to do is to stay inside. Wearing a mask also helps. Perumbeti added, "Anybody who has chronic lung diseases or who even just notice that they’re sensitive to the smoke should be measuring the air quality index on a daily basis."

To check air quality, you can visit South Coast Air Quality Management District forecasts page. Eisenhower Health also updates daily air quality, that can be found on their website.

The CDC also has more tips when it comes to protecting yourself from wildfire smoke. Those can be found at the link above.

News Channel 3's Taban Sharifi will speak with local health experts on how crews and people at home can stay healthy this fire season.

Kaiser recommends that those in the Coachella Valley who are elderly and have underlying health conditions, including individuals who are HIV positive, limit non-essential travel and avoid large public gatherings.

Health officials said anyone who thinks they might be experiencing symptoms of the virus and want to be seen at Eisenhower Health should call the hospital hotline first at 760-837-8988. Avoid the spread of this illness.
Residents with further questions can call 2-1-1 and 800–CDC –INFO (800 – 232 – 4636) with any questions.

Public health recommendations for all Riverside County residents during community spread:

Practice social distancing, which is remaining out of places where people meet or gather and avoid using public transportation, if possible.
Do not attend work, school or events when sick. Stay home. Cough into your elbow or tissue. Wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer often.
Stay away from anyone who is sick.