Residents advised to take air quality precautions due to wildfires
Published 3:58 pm Monday, August 28, 2023
- (Metro Creative Services)
Extreme heat and drought have contributed to wildfires throughout Louisiana, which can negatively impact air quality. LDH is urging residents in areas where wildfires are burning or air quality is otherwise poor to take precautions to minimize the impact poor air quality can have on their health.
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and State Fire Marshal issued a statewide burn ban on Aug. 7 due to dangerously dry and hot conditions. Hundreds of wildfires are burning across the state, resulting in a dangerous and unpredictable situation. Gov. John Bel Edwards has urged everyone in the state to follow the state burn ban until further notice and refrain from burning anything at this time.
Not everyone exposed to wildfire smoke will have health issues. However, even young, healthy adults can experience serious effects from short-term smoke inhalation. Residents in affected areas and those living outside of the wildfire radius in neighboring parishes should be aware of the health effects caused by smoke and poor air quality and take precautions.
If you suffer from respiratory or cardiac problems and you are in the proximity of a fire, please consult with your doctor. Regardless of health or age, it is vital to have an evacuation plan, whether threatened by actual fire or the effects of smoke.
