Wildfires

Los Angeles Wildfires 2025

Currently, there are several an active wildfire in Los Angeles, I can see the sky full of smoke. The largest is the Palisades Fire 2025. I am inside with all the windows closed and the air purifier running night and day. With so many people who lost everything, I reached my favorite organic brands to help my Los Angeles community by offering a special discount for support. Check this page for the latest updates and offers which I am updating daily. 

Chemical contaminants: Wildfire smoke introduces several harmful pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) such as acetaldehyde, acrolein, formaldehyde, and benzene.

Wildfires Resources

Here is an informative video on how you can protect yourself 

Apps:

Los Angeles Fire & Smoke Cleaning Tips

These tips are from Jaspr Air Purifiers founder who has a background in wildfire & smoke remediation:

 

During the Fire

  • Keep all your windows shut.
  • If it smells like smoke, don’t exercise outside.
  • Regardless of the PM2.5 # on your air purifier, even if it’s green, keep it on fan speed 3 because there are a ton of toxic particles that get created when homes & cars burn – not all of them can be detected by your air purifier, but all of them will still be filtered.
  • Change all your furnace filters when the smoke dissipates, then change it again in a few weeks. When heavy wildfire smoke is present, it stays in the environment for weeks. Use at least MERV 13 in your HVAC filter 

 

After The Fire

If your local environment was heavily impacted by smoke and you don’t have at least 3 high-quality air purifiers in your home, you will need to:

 

Jaspr chat Jan 24 2025

Air Quality After Wildfires 

Check your air quality using the AQMD map 

You want to protect your environment from wildfire smoke, which contains harmful pollutants such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other toxic gases. Remain indoors as much as possible with windows closed. It is recommended to get an approved air purifier with HEPA filters with activated carbon Filter and HVAC filters with a rating of MERV 13 or above. 

 

  • Regularly check your local air quality index to stay informed about pollution levels in your area.
  • Create an emergency evacuation plan in case the wildfires escalate and threaten your community.
  • Make a Fire emergency first aid kit 
  • When outdoors wear approved face masks and  kids’ face masks

The Best Air Purifiers for Wildfires 

Air filters and air purifiers can help to prevent inhaling these pollutants which have health consequences, particularly for individuals dealing with chemical sensitivities or with respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergies.

You need to pick the best Air Purifiers with the best filters to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke pollutants:

  • HEPA Filters: HEPA is a type of pleated mechanical air filter. It is an acronym for “high-efficiency particulate air [filter]” (as officially defined by the U.S. Dept. of Energy). This type of air filter can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm). *Source: epa.gov, What is a HEPA filter?
  • Activated Carbon Filters: According to the EPA, activated carbon is the best technology in air purifiers to filter gases. Activated carbon adsorbs molecules from harmful chemicals and gases to its surface.  

 

My number one air purifier brand recommendations for wildfires are:

  • 🌿AirDoctor: has UltraHEPA® filter designed to capture particles as small as 0.003 microns, which is 100 times smaller than the HEPA standard. This means it efficiently filters out smoke particles, bacteria, viruses, and other airborne contaminants, ensuring that your indoor air remains clean and safe to breathe. Equipped with activated carbon filters, AirDoctor effectively eliminates odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) commonly found in wildfire smoke. This not only improves indoor air quality but also enhances the overall comfort of your living space during wildfire season. My AirDoctor discount link offers the best deals available year-round! Extra 10% off code: LAFIRE2

 

The Best HVAC Filters for Wildfires 

During wildfires is recommended to upgrade your HVAC filter to the highest possible. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using air filters with a:

  • ✅ MERV 13 rating or higher for optimal protection against wildfire smoke.

 

My number one HVAC Filter brand recommendations are:

  • 🌿 AirDctor Air purifiers are the leader in this field and their technology is superior My link will give you automatically the best current discount offered by the brand!
  • 🌿 Medify Air offers Merv 11-14 ( I recommend 13-14) $15 off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL

 

 

The best protection after wildfire is a combination of MERV 13+ filters in the HVAC system and portable HEPA air purifiers with activated carbon filters in key living areas that can provide comprehensive coverage against wildfire smoke in your house.

  • Keep windows closed and minimize outdoor air infiltration during wildfire and cleanup.
  • Turn the system to “recirculate” mode.

Water Quality After Wildfires 

Impacts on the water cycle can last for years, post-fire debris flows can flood water supplies with toxic runoff, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be released from burnt buildings and other structures.

During active burns, the ash and associated contaminants settle on lakes, streams, and reservoirs. 

Wildfires directly impact drinking water by flooding water sources with ash, sediment, and nutrients. Releasing toxic contaminants on water treatment plants with vast quantities of impurities.

Health Risks of Drinking Tap Water After a Wildfire

The biggest health risk that could be lurking in our tap water after a wildfire is the presence of VOCs. VOCs—e.g. benzene, ethylene glycol, and formaldehyde—are a variety of chemicals linked to a range of health issues, including cancer. While many of these risks come from long periods of exposure, chemical levels found in local water supplies following many devastating wildfires were high enough to cause short-term health effects like vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea.

 

VOCs in drinking water supplies include:

  • Methylene chloride (aka dichloromethane)
  • Naphthalene
  • Styrene
  • Tert-butanol
  • Toluene
  • Vinyl chloride

The Best Water Testing After Wildfires 

I recommend testing your water after the wildfires and getting an approved water filter.

  • 🌿Tap Score Lab is my recommended water testing service that offers a short guide on wildfires and water quality that will give you insight into exactly how wildfires contaminate drinking water, what this means for your health, and what you can do to protect your drinking water after a wildfire. They use certified laboratories. This is a dedicated promo code for the affected LA community 10% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL-LA (until March 1, 2025)

The Best Water Filters for Wildfires 

I recommend getting an approved water filter so you can have plenty of water that is always available indoors.

 

My favorite and number one water filter recommendations are:

For higher protection, it is recommended to install Activated carbon filters at the point of entry when targeting VOCs so they are removed from all water entering the home.

  • 🌿 Jolie Filtered Shower Head removes chlorine, heavy metals & other contaminants from your shower water.
  • 🌿 FilterBaby filter is the world’s most effective and powerful faucet filter, capable of removing 99.9% of the Chlorine, Chloramine, and countless other contaminants that are harmful to the skin. $10 off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL

Health Care 

I recommend checking these pages: detox, eye care, nose, lungs, and throat.

You can find other products handy during the wildfire season below!

Enviromental Consultant 

✅ I hired Marc from Knight Environmental Consulting as my environmental consultant and I can recommend him. He is highly qualified: Microbiologist with Double Master’s in environmental science and microbiology and 2 degrees in Chemistry and Physic. It is hard to find someone more qualified or knowledgeable than him in his field! He will check your water and air quality and anything else to make your house healthier.

His tips for after wildfire clean up: “Well after the fires washing down with a hose the walkways and any dusty (ash) outdoor furniture helps. As well as an indoor air purifier.” Mention to him that PrettyOrganicGirl is sending you!

 

Marc Brennan BSc. MSc.
Environmental Scientist
Microbiologist/ Chemist CEO
Knight Environmental Consulting
1-858-999-6292
A Knight Industries Company