Southern California is currently in the grip of record-breaking fires. The size and varied locations of the fires is creating blankets of smoke throughout the area. While it will take time to contain all the fires, the accompanying smoke is creating a problem now. Smoke inhalation creates health consequences, warns the California Poison Control System (CPCS).“Smoke can travel quite a distance from where a fire is burning,” says Cyrus Rangan, M.D., a pediatrician and medical toxicologist with CPCS. “Although everyone can be affected, some people are at a higher risk. Wildfire smoke is particularly hazardous for infants, young children, adults over 65, pregnant women (whose developing fetus could be harmed), and people with chronic heart and lung problems.”Symptoms of smoke i
