One Year After LA Fires: Lingering Effects on Health

Newswise — LOS ANGELES (Jan. 5, 2026) — It’s been one year since the catastrophic Palisades and Eaton fires devastated the Los Angeles area, destroying more than 16,000 structures and unleashing an unknown number of toxic materials into the air, water and soil in the surrounding areas. As communities begin to rebuild and residents return to affected areas, many wonder if there are still lingering risks to their health.

“Early on, I worked with a lot of patients with underlying illnesses such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] who experienced significant worsening of their symptoms due to wildfire smoke,” said pulmonologist Samuel Cohen, MD.

“Thankfully, most of those patients have improved now that the major trigger has subsided, and they’re back to a more baseline maintenance.”

Stephanie Koven, MD, a Cedars-Sinai primary care physician in Santa Monica, also treated many patients affected by the Palisades fire.

“Not only were we seeing flare-ups of asthma and emphysema for those in affected areas, but a significant increase in anxiety and depression,” Koven said. “I had patients in their 70s and 80s who were retired, and the home they were planning to live in for the rest of their lives was just gone.”

In addition to those retirees, Koven has cared for several members of the L.A. Fire Department who were on the front lines battling the blazes across Southern California.

“With firefighters, we’re most concerned about ongoing exposures over years,” Koven said. “Because of this, we’re more proactive with testing for things like heavy metals and PFAs, often called ‘forever chemicals.’ Firefighters also typically will receive earlier cancer screenings.”

While the general air quality has improved, Cohen said it’s possible that construction in the affected areas could rustle up particulate matter that may have previously settled in the soil.

“It’s especially important for workers in these areas to be sure they have appropriate respirators for protection,” Cohen said.

Koven agreed, adding that while residents who have moved back amid these construction zones may not need to wear masks in their own homes, they can still take other precautions.

“Using a HEPA filter in the home to help pull particulate matter from the air can be helpful,” Koven said. “If you’ve been to a burn site and are returning home, a general recommendation is to take off your shoes so you’re not tracking anything inside. You also could consider changing your outer layer of clothes when entering your home.”

Cohen also noted that some new smart thermostats can track air quality inside your home and will even set reminders for when to change your filters.

And if patients want to increase their overall respiratory health to combat any potential negative impact of returning to an affected area, Cohen says frequent cardiovascular exercise is key.

Both experts say it’s difficult to know yet what, if any, lingering health issues the public may experience because of the initial wildfire smoke exposure or rebuilding in and returning to burn areas.

“If you’re someone who will be moving back to these areas, it’s just important to make sure you’re in tune with how you’re feeling,” Cohen said. “If you begin to experience new-onset symptoms such as shortness of breath or a lingering cough, it’s time to speak to a medical professional.”

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: How Does Wildfire Smoke Affect Your Health?