Home US A dire warning from a Hawaii health official to LA fire victims who want to visit charred remains of homes

A dire warning from a Hawaii health official to LA fire victims who want to visit charred remains of homes

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A Hawaii-based health official has issued a dire warning to devastated Los Angeles residents who have returned to their former neighborhoods to see what remains of their beloved homes. Pictured: Two firefighters stand near a burning house during the Eaton fire in Pasadena, California

A Hawaiian health official — all too familiar with the devastating aftermath of wildfires — urged devastated LA residents to return to the rubble of their beloved homes to wear the proper protective gear.

Diana Felton, 47, chief of the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Communicable Diseases, claimed that the droves of distressed homeowners returning to the rubble resemble what she saw after the 2023 Lahaina state fire.

“It’s almost like Lahaina PTSD when you see pictures of people going into L.A. neighborhoods without PPE,” Felton said, recalling Hawaii residents venturing into the fire zone without anything to protect themselves from toxic ash.

Public health experts in Los Angeles have since advised the greater Los Angeles public to leave neighborhoods covered in “cancer-causing chemicals.”

Such hazardous chemicals result from burned vehicles, solar panels and batteries, building materials and everyday household products.

But even as officials have issued the grim warnings, residents continue to return to the ruins, with some posting videos on social media of themselves walking through the remains without any protective equipment.

“The desire to go back and see what you can salvage is very strong,” Felton sympathized with the curious residents.

‘It seems to be a very important part of the moving on, recovery and healing component. I just want people to find a balance between doing what’s best for the lockdown and their mental health, and protecting their physical health,” Felton added.

A Hawaii-based health official has issued a dire warning to devastated Los Angeles residents who have returned to their former neighborhoods to see what remains of their beloved homes. Pictured: Two firefighters stand near a burning house during the Eaton fire in Pasadena, California

Diana Felton, 47, chief of the Hawaii State Department of Health's Communicable Diseases, warned curious California homeowners to wear proper protective gear if they return to the torched remains

Diana Felton, 47, chief of the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Communicable Diseases, warned curious California homeowners to wear proper protective gear if they return to the torched remains

The health official claimed the droves of distressed homeowners returning to the trash resemble what she saw after the 2023 Lahaina state fire. Pictured: A Lahaina resident picks up her piggy bank, found in the rubble of her home after the wildfire from August 10, 2023

The health official claimed the throngs of distressed homeowners returning to the trash resembled what she saw after the 2023 Lahaina state fire. Pictured: A Lahaina resident picks up her piggy bank, found in the rubble of her home after the wildfire from August 10, 2023

Felton told those returning to burned areas after the deadly 2023 fire to wear an N95 mask, goggles, gloves, socks, closed shoes, pants and long-sleeved shirts.

Hawaii health officials added at the time that those who were pregnant, old, young or medically compromised should not enter the contaminated areas.

The burned areas were tested just four months after the August 8, 2023 fire – which killed 102 people – and all 100 hectares analyzed revealed elevated levels of arsenic, lead, antimony, cobalt and copper.

Such substances have been linked to long-term health problems.

Felton speculated that the ash from the fires in and around Los Angeles is likely full of similarly dangerous particles.

The dangerous contaminants can easily be kicked up as people try to salvage belongings and rummage through the potentially toxic debris.

Exposure usually does not cause immediate symptoms, but it can lead to long-term health problems such as cancer, high blood pressure, liver problems or learning disabilities.

Even inhaling ash and smoke from wildfires can cause problems, including coughing, irregular heartbeat and fatigue, the health official added.

An aerial photo taken on August 10, 2023 shows destroyed homes and buildings burned to the ground in Lahaina in the aftermath of wildfires in western Maui, Hawaii

An aerial photo taken on August 10, 2023 shows destroyed homes and buildings burned to the ground in Lahaina in the aftermath of wildfires in western Maui, Hawaii

But even as officials have issued the stark warnings, residents continue to return to the ruins, with some posting videos on social media of themselves walking through the remains without any protective equipment. Pictured: A man searches for belongings in the remains of his home after it was burned down by wildfires in the Los Angeles area

But even as officials have issued the grim warnings, residents continue to return to the ruins, with some posting videos on social media of themselves walking through the remains without any protective equipment. Pictured: A man searches for belongings in the remains of his home after it was burned down by wildfires in the Los Angeles area

Felton told those returning to burned areas after the deadly 2023 fire that destroyed more than 2,000 acres to wear protective equipment such as an N95 mask, goggles, gloves, socks, closed-toed shoes, pants and shirts with long sleeves. Pictured: Marjan Rajabi waters a scorched plant in her Pacific Palisades home, which was destroyed by the Palisades Fire

Felton told those returning to burned areas after the deadly 2023 fire that destroyed more than 2,000 acres to wear protective equipment such as an N95 mask, goggles, gloves, socks, closed-toed shoes, pants and shirts with long sleeves. Pictured: Marjan Rajabi waters a scorched plant in her Pacific Palisades home, which was destroyed by the Palisades Fire

Hawaii health officials added that pregnant, elderly, young or medically compromised individuals should not enter the contaminated areas. Pictured: A woman searches for belongings in the remains of her home after it was burned down by wildfires in the Los Angeles area

Hawaii health officials added that pregnant, elderly, young or medically compromised individuals should not enter the contaminated areas. Pictured: A woman searches for belongings in the remains of her home after it was burned down by wildfires in the Los Angeles area

For one Los Angeles resident, Ron Schlessinger, this turned out to be true.

A week after the 59-year-old returned to the scene of the still-burning wreckage, he developed a persistent cough.

Schlessinger even wore an N95 mask, ski goggles, a ski helmet, a long-sleeved shirt and pants, the Civil Beat reported.

The Angeleno said it was difficult to breathe amid the haze of smoke and ash from wildfires.

“I was panicking the whole time and just wanted to get in and out,” he said. “I’m glad I did it, and it was honestly one of the dumbest things I’ve ever done.”

About 6.5 million people remain at critical fire risk after fires devastated an area nearly the size of Washington, DC, killing at least 25 people so far, authorities said. Pictured: Nicole Perri searches for belongings in the ruins of her home destroyed by the Palisades Fire

About 6.5 million people remain at critical fire risk after fires consumed an area nearly the size of Washington, DC, killing at least 25 people so far, authorities said. Pictured: Nicole Perri searches for belongings in the ruins of her home destroyed by the Palisades Fire

Firefighters are still battling the Palisades Fire, the most destructive blaze in LA history, as well as the Eaton and Hurst fires. Pictured: A house burns in the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California on January 8, 2025

Firefighters are still battling the Palisades Fire, the most destructive blaze in LA history, as well as the Eaton and Hurst fires. Pictured: A house burns in the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California on January 8, 2025

The fires damaged or destroyed more than 12,000 homes and other structures, and displaced as many as 200,000 people from their homes. Pictured: A resident whose home survived the Palisades Fire walks his dogs past a destroyed home

The fires damaged or destroyed more than 12,000 homes and other structures, and displaced as many as 200,000 people from their homes. Pictured: A resident whose home survived the Palisades Fire walks his dogs past a destroyed home

Since last Tuesday, six fires have broken out in the greater LA area, killing at least 25 people and burning more than 12,000 homes and other structures.

Firefighters are still battling the Palisades Fire, the most destructive blaze in LA history, as well as the Eaton and Hurst fires.

The three other fires are now fully under control.

The National Weather Service added that the reprieve for fire-ravaged Los Angeles will be short, with high chances of renewed Red Flag Warnings — when ideal fire conditions of high winds and low humidity dominate — starting again Sunday.

About 6.5 million people remain at critical fire risk after fires devastated an area nearly the size of Washington, D.C., authorities said.

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