Santa Barbara Heat Advisory and Malibu’s Bryson Fire Raise Heat Illness and Smoke Risks for Southern Californians

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Fallon | AFP via Getty Images Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Pocket Southern Californians are dealing with two overlapping health threats this weekend. A National Weather Service heat advisory for Santa Barbara County runs through 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, with temperatures up to 95 degrees. To the south, the Bryson Fire has burned about 147 acres in the hills above Malibu and prompted evacuation orders and warnings, CBS Los Angeles reported.

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department issued a health alert urging residents to stay cool, drink fluids, and check on older adults, young children, and pets, Edhat reported. Possible power shutoffs announced by Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric add a complication, since some households may lose air conditioning, refrigeration, or power for medical equipment.

The concern is not limited to people near the fire line. Heat and smoke can strain the heart and lungs, especially for older adults, young children, and people with asthma or heart disease.

The Bryson Fire started around 4:40 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in the Encinal Canyon area near the Camp Kilpatrick juvenile facility, according to CBS Los Angeles. As of Saturday morning, it had burned 147 acres and was 52% contained, according to CAL FIRE’s incident page. More than 400 firefighters worked the fire overnight Thursday. No structures had been damaged, and Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said crews had suffered minor injuries. The cause is under investigation.

Evacuation orders remained in effect for zones KAN-U017 and SYC-U016-A, with evacuation warnings for 12 more zones. The Red Cross opened a shelter at Agoura High School, 28545 W. Driver Ave. in Agoura Hills, and the Agoura Animal Care Center, 29525 Agoura Blvd., is taking pets. Large animals can go to the Pierce College Equestrian Center in Woodland Hills.

Thirty-eight youths from Camp Kilpatrick were moved to Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar. Roads were closed at Decker Road and Encinal Canyon Road, Kanan Road and Mulholland Highway, and Mulholland Highway and Westlake Boulevard, while Pacific Coast Highway remained open in both directions. Pepperdine University said the fire, about eight miles northwest of its Malibu campus, did not currently pose a threat to the campus.

Fire conditions can change quickly. Residents should confirm their zone status through Los Angeles County’s official alerts rather than relying on older reports.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for much of Santa Barbara County’s interior mountains from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, the Santa Barbara Independent reported. Forecasts for Santa Barbara called for humidity as low as 8% to 15%, and wind gusts up to 40 mph.

“If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for extreme fire behavior which would threaten life and property,” the weather service warned. Near the Bryson Fire, CBS Los Angeles reported that a red flag warning tied to a moderate to strong Santa Ana wind event extends through Saturday.

Southern California Edison warned that power shutoffs could affect about 13,000 Santa Barbara County customers in Gaviota, Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Carpinteria, according to the Independent. CBS Los Angeles reported that an Edison shutoff was affecting more than 60,000 residents.

A power outage can turn hot weather into a household health problem. Oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines, powered wheelchairs, and refrigerated medicines such as insulin depend on electricity. Families caring for someone who uses these devices should have a backup plan, including a charged battery, a cooler for medications, and a place to go that has power.

Heat exhaustion can cause dizziness, nausea, and heavy sweating, according to the county health alert. Move the person to a cooler place right away. Guidance from the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health adds that people with heat exhaustion should get frequent small sips of cool water and a medical evaluation.

Heat stroke is more dangerous. The county alert says its symptoms resemble heat exhaustion but also include hot, flushed skin, and the person often stops sweating. “Heat stroke is life threatening!” the alert said. NIOSH lists confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, seizures, and very high body temperature as other warning signs. Call 911 right away, and cool the person with cool water, wet cloths, or ice on the head, neck, armpits, and groin while waiting.

Electric fans can add comfort, but the county alert says they will not prevent heat-related illness when temperatures reach the high 90s. Air-conditioned spaces and shade offer better protection. The county also advised wearing light, loose-fitting clothing, drinking fluids without sugar or caffeine, and limiting outdoor activity to cooler hours.

Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even with the windows cracked. The county alert also advised walking pets early in the morning or late in the evening, noting, “If the ground is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for paws.”

As of Saturday, the South Coast AQMD advisory page listed no active wildfire smoke advisories. Conditions can shift with the wind, however. The air district advises that anyone who can smell smoke or see ash from a wildfire should “avoid or limit outdoor activities,” even outside an advisory area.

People with asthma, COPD, or heart disease should keep rescue inhalers and medicines close and follow their action plans. If smoke drifts indoors, keep windows closed and run an air purifier or air conditioner on recirculate if power is available. Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or wheezing that does not improve with medication needs urgent care.

Santa Barbara County Fire Capt. Michael Gray encouraged residents to prepare personal wildfire action plans with evacuation routes and to sign up for emergency alerts at ReadySBC.org, the Independent reported. Packing medications, glasses, phone chargers, and copies of prescriptions in a go-bag can save time if an order comes.

Outdoor workers should take frequent breaks in shade or air conditioning and drink water often. The heat advisory is scheduled to end Saturday evening, while Bryson Fire evacuation orders remained in place Saturday morning. MedicalDaily will update this story if evacuation zones expand or air quality worsens.

Where is the Bryson Fire burning? In the hills above Malibu, near Encinal Canyon and Camp Kilpatrick. CAL FIRE listed it at 147 acres and 52% contained as of Saturday morning.

Which areas are under evacuation orders? Zones KAN-U017 and SYC-U016-A were under orders, with warnings for 12 more zones. Check Los Angeles County alerts for current status.

How long does the heat advisory last? The Santa Barbara County heat advisory runs from 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, through 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, with temperatures up to 95 degrees.

What are the signs of heat stroke? Hot, flushed skin, often with no sweating, plus confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, seizures, or very high body temperature. Call 911 and start cooling the person right away.

Who is most at risk from heat and smoke? Older adults, young children, outdoor workers, and people with asthma, COPD, or heart disease.

What should families do during a power shutoff? Keep medications cool, charge backup batteries for medical devices, and identify a nearby place with air conditioning and power.