Recently, many fires have surrounded the area of Orange County with an unhealthy air quality. The Holy Fire, being named after its origin in the Holy Jim Canyon, has spread to 19,100 acres, destroying around 14 building structures, and was said to be 10% contained. According to Cleveland National Forest officials, suspect 51 year old Forrest Gordon Clark, has been charged for arson, felony threat to terrorize, and resisting arrest.

The flames have been spread in unpredictable directions due to the winds. The smoke has alarmed the South Coast Air Quality Management District as well as the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD), so they both issued a smoke health advisory. Health officials have declared that because of the toxic chemicals drifting in the air, many people are worried about their health.

As declared by the MDAQMD, “Children, seniors, people with heart or lung disease and physically active adults are at greatest risk during poor air-quality events.” County officials advised that people who are sensitive to pollution, smoke, and chemicals, to remain indoors to avoid breathing in contaminated air. Inhaling ash produced from the burning flames can also irritate one’s nose, throat, lungs, and skin when coming in contact.

For example, Heejae Park, a student in 11th grade who attends the Orange County School of Arts, claimed that “I am concerned about the air quality dropping or changing suddenly, because it can negatively affect my lungs and my overall weak respiratory system.” Individuals share similar view are worried how toxicities in the air will impact their daily lives. It was also reported that two firefighters were sent to local hospitals due to heat-related injuries.

Many neighborhoods were told to evacuate the Lake Elsinore area communities in concern of the potential harm the air can propose. As a result of this, in the Lake Elsinore Unified District, schools have been closed to make sure that the air quality is safe for students and teachers. Also, all campgrounds in the Trabuco Ranger District were closed down.

Although officials were hoping that the temperatures would be milder, in order to help the firefighters contain the fire from spreading further, the humid and hot temperatures were still apparent. Even though the temperatures did improve, it was only by a minimal amount. The sky near affected neighborhoods have been filled with a red dusty glow, as a result of the fire.

Not only were people affected by the burning fire, but also were animals. Shelters and evacuation centers were opened up for animals that were injured. Officers from the Riverside County Animal Services were accepting domestic pets at a reception and care center in Lake Elsinore. There is also an animal evacuation center at Animal Friends of the Valley in Wildomar, as well as a shelter for animals of all sizes in Orange County.

There has been progress made overall in contaming the fire, however the Holy Fire is expected to rise back up again because of the increasing temperatures. The United States Forest Service Cleveland National Forest declared that “We continue to actively engage, but weather and fuel conditions do not allow us to get ahead of the fire”.

<Rachel Kang (Northwood High 11th Grade)>