Hawaii health official's dire warning to LA fire victims wanting to visit charred remains of homes
A Hawaiian health official - all too familiar with the devastating aftermath of wildfires - urged devastated LA residents returning to the rubble of their beloved homes to wear proper protective gear.
Diana Felton, 47, chief of the Hawaii State Department of Health's Communicable Disease, claimed the droves of distressed homeowners returning to the rubble resembles what she saw after the state's 2023 Lahaina fire.
'It's almost like Lahaina PTSD, seeing pictures of people going into the LA neighborhoods without any PPE,' Felton said, recalling when Hawaii residents ventured into the burn zone without anything to protect themselves from toxic ash.
Los Angeles public health experts have since advised the greater Los Angeles public to vacate neighborhoods that are covered in 'cancer-causing chemicals.'
Such hazardous chemicals are a result of burned vehicles, solar panels and batteries, building materials and everyday household products.
Yet, even as officials have issued the stark warnings, residents continue to return to the ruins, with some posting videos on social media showing them walking through the remains without any protective gear.
'The desire to go back and see what you can salvage is very strong,' Felton sympathized with the curious residents.
'It seems like a really important part of the moving on, recovery and healing component. I just want people to strike a balance between doing what’s best for closure and their mental health and protecting their physical health,' Felton added.
A Hawaii-based health official issued a dire warning to devastated Los Angeles residents who have returned to their former neighborhoods to view what remains of their beloved homes. Pictured: Two firefighters stand near a burning home during the Eaton Fire in Pasadena, California
Diana Felton, 47, chief of the Hawaii State Department of Health's Communicable Disease, warned curious California homeowners to wear proper protective gear if they were to return to the torched remains
The health official claimed the droves of distressed homeowners returning to the rubbish resembles what she saw after the state's 2023 Lahaina fire. Pictured: A Lahaina resident picks up her piggy bank found in the rubble of her home following the wildfire August 10, 2023
Felton told those returning to the burned areas after the deadly 2023 blaze that they should wear an N95 mask, goggles, gloves, socks, close-toed shoes, pants and long-sleeved shirts.
Hawaii health officials added at the time that those who were pregnant, elderly, young or medically compromised should not enter the contaminated areas.
The incinerated areas were tested just four months after the August 8, 2023, fire - which took the lives of 102 people - and all of the 100 acres analyzed revealed elevated levels of arsenic, lead, antimony, cobalt and copper.
Such substances have been linked to long-term health problems.
Felton speculated that ash from the fires in and around the greater Los Angeles area is likely riddled with similar dangerous particles.
The dangerous contaminants can be easily kicked up when people try to salvage possessions, rummaging through the potentially toxic rubble.
Exposure usually doesn’t trigger immediate symptoms, but it may lead to long-term health issues such as cancer, high blood pressure, liver problems or learning disabilities.
Even just breathing in wildfire ash and smoke can trigger problems including coughing, erratic heartbeat and fatigue, the health official added.
An aerial image 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
Yet, even as the officials have issued the stark warnings, residents continue to return to the ruins, with some posting videos on social media showing them walking through the remains without any protective gear. Pictured: A man looks for belongings in the remains of his home after burned down by wildfires in the Los Angeles area
Felton told those returning to the burned areas after the deadly 2023 blaze that destroyed over 2,000 acres, that they should wear protective gear such as an N95 mask, goggles, gloves, socks, close-toed shoes, pants and long-sleeved shirts. Pictured: Marjan Rajabi waters a scorched plant at her Pacific Palisades home, which was destroyed by the Palisades Fire
Hawaii health officials added that those who are pregnant, elderly, young or medically compromised should not enter the contaminated areas. Pictured: A woman looks for belongings in the remains of her home after it has been burned down by wildfires in the Los Angeles area
For one Los Angeles resident, Ron Schlessinger, this proved to be true.
A week after the 59-year-old returned to the scene of the still-burning wreckage, he suffered from a lingering 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 hard to breathe amid the haze of wildfire smoke and ash.
'I was freaked out the whole time and just wanted to get in and get out,' he said. 'I’m glad I did it, and it was really one of the dumbest things I’ve ever done.'
Some 6.5 million people remain under a critical fire threat, after the fires consumed an area nearly the size of Washington DC, resulting in at least 25 deaths so far, authorities said. Pictured: Nicole Perri looks for belongings in the ruins of her house destroyed by the Palisades Fire
Firefighters are still battling the Palisades Fire, which is the most destructive blaze in LA history, as well as the Eaton and Hurst fires. Pictured: A home burns in the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California on January 8, 2025
The fires have damaged or destroyed more than 12,000 homes and other structures, and forced 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
Six fires have erupted across the greater LA area since last Tuesday, killing at least 25 people and burning more than 12,000 homes and other structures.
Firefighters are still battling the Palisades Fire, which is the most destructive blaze in LA history, as well as the Eaton and Hurst fires.
The three other blazes are now fully contained.
The National Weather Service added that the respite for fire-ravaged Los Angeles will be short, with high chances for renewed Red Flag warnings - when ideal fire conditions of high winds and low humidity dominate - starting again on Sunday.
Some 6.5 million people remain under a critical fire threat, after the fires consumed an area nearly the size of Washington, DC, authorities said.
