One year after a series of wildfires swept through Los Angeles, health experts from UCLA Health report that the effects are still being felt by residents. The fires, which began on January 7 last year in the Pacific Palisades and quickly spread to other areas including Eaton, Hurst, Kenneth, Hughes, and Sepulveda, burned more than 55,000 acres. Nearly 16,000 homes were destroyed and about 440 people lost their lives.
Dr. David Eisenman, professor-in-residence at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, described the impact: “This was a catastrophic event that changed much of Los Angeles — its community, its landscape and our health.” He added: “We are, not surprisingly, still suffering the consequences in many ways. Families have not returned to their homes, and high levels of pollutants remain in communities. It’s a tough place to be a year later.”
The fires caused significant declines in air quality. Those with preexisting respiratory conditions or who had prolonged exposure were most affected by smoke and airborne toxins from both vegetation and man-made materials. Dr. May-Lin Wilgus, pulmonologist and associate clinical professor at UCLA Health, said: “Initially, I definitely saw a spike in patients presenting with exacerbations or flare-ups of their lung condition, which was most commonly asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). But I think there were a lot of people who did not seek medical care at the time and later experienced increased symptoms.
“Many individuals who followed up with me six months later also mentioned their symptoms flared with the fires,” she continued. “These patients often had continued exposures — such as returning to smoke-damaged homes or encountering high levels of heavy-metal contamination — so it does seem to be a trigger.”
Wilgus recommended steps for future preparedness including using HEPA air filters indoors; keeping emergency supplies; establishing evacuation plans; and raising awareness about health risks related to wildfires. She noted: “We have a very wide network of pulmonology clinics throughout the region, where we are treating patients who may have been affected. Throughout Los Angeles, we need to be more aware and prepared, as well as support ongoing research to help reduce these impacts.”
Mental health has also emerged as an area of concern for those affected by the wildfires. Emanuel Maidenberg, clinical professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine said: “People most closely affected — such as those who lost their houses or belongings — often experience the greatest impact. Individuals with a history of prolonged anxiety or depression also tend to have difficulty recovering from events of this kind.” He explained further: “This is a really traumatic event that takes time to recover from. So these populations may experience slower recovery because the reminders are ever present, and their lives have changed.”
Dr. Eisenman pointed out that housing instability continues for many families: “This has caused a lot of disruption to children’s schooling, time off from work and significant stress related to navigating insurance claims and rebuilding homes — all while families are still trying to process the trauma,” he said. “Right now we are studying the mental health consequences in the community, and we would expect to see elevated rates of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety among people who were evacuated from the fires.”
Maidenberg noted that recovery will progress as visible reminders fade away but added: “Over time people will talk about it less… But I think we are all a little bit more cautious… mindful of … sadness fear and loss.”
To better understand long-term effects on health following wildfires like these in Los Angeles County last year (https://www.lacounty.gov/emergency/wildfire-recovery/), Drs. Eisenman and Arash Naeim established the UCLA Wildfire Impacted Communities Research Registry with about 4,440 participants so far—all residents during last year’s fires—who can take part in studies on short- and long-term effects.
Eisenman explained: “The registry allows UCLA doctors and (other) health care professionals to better understand the health needs of patients… There will be other fires… We really need to know this in order to better protect health.”
One study focuses on residents who stayed behind rather than evacuating immediately during wildfire threats—a decision researchers believe may lead them to experience fewer property losses but potentially greater physical injuries or mental distress.
“We expect that individuals who stayed behind… will experience less fire-related property damage,” Eisenman said.“At same time… anticipate these individuals will face more health consequences… And so we are highlighting trade-off…”
Eisenman credited UCLA’s response for helping support staff impacted by disaster while advancing research efforts aimed at community benefit.“UCLA really stepped up in a lot ways,” he said.“During Palisades fire,… administration moved quickly… academic community worked gather data use it for betterment community.”
He concluded:“The wildfires continue teach us that,… communities must come together.… Learning how evacuate safely prepare as community support each other during disaster is crucial—and coming together makes whole community stronger.”
