In addition to the destruction the wildfires are doing, they also present a health hazard. Louisiana Department of Health State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter said where the fires are and the smoke is, are not always the one in the same.
“The bulk of the fires right now are in the southwestern part of the state, Beauregard Parish and Vernon Parish, but the winds can carry the smoke quite far,” said Kanter.
For comparison, Kanter said smoke from Canadian wildfires decreased air quality in areas as far away as the northeastern U.S. Smoke trails can be carried a great distance and most of Louisiana is experiencing a decrease in air quality as a result of the wildfires. Kanter said it’s a good idea to pay attention to local air quality reports.
“Most people will do fine with the wildfire smoke, it might be a nuisance, but for the majority of people it’s not going to cause adverse health effects,” said Kanter.
Normally this time of year, Louisiana residents are focused on potential storms in the Gulf of Mexico. Kanter said wildfires present a change in behavior.
Kanter advises residents to minimize their time outdoors especially if they have a respiratory illness, such as asthma, COPD, emphysema, or even heart disease.
“So, the best advice for people that have serious health conditions, or are otherwise sensitive to the smoke, is to stay indoors as much as possible,” said Kanter.
For those with respiratory illnesses, he said you might want to limit the fresh air intake on your HVAC system to reduce smoke in your home. He said most AC units have an effective filtration system for removing smoke.
With the statewide burn ban still in effect, Kanter implores residents not to burn anything outdoors and that includes lighting up the grill for Labor Day weekend.
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