California air quality alert: Half a million people to avoid candles, incense

California’s air quality alert, affecting over half a million people, has advised residents to avoid burning candles, incense, and using fireplaces.

The warning is issued in Southern California, parts of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, and Riverside. The public health crisis occurred due to “multiday extreme ozone” levels combined with wildfire smoke, causing a decline in air quality.

A Newsweek article mentioned a statement from AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham.

“Ozone is a secondary pollutant, meaning it’s not emitted directly from sources, but is formed through chemical reactions. These reactions require sunlight and higher temperatures, making warmer months more prone to ozone formation. When air is stagnant, pollutants don’t get dispersed, allowing ozone to build up to unhealthy levels.”

Burning candles, incense, and using fireplaces can create indoor air pollution. When outdoor air quality is already exacerbated by high ozone levels and wildfire smoke, these pollutants can further damage the respiratory system.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that exposure to ozone can irritate the respiratory tract, cause inflammation, and worsen existing conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.

The authorities at the National Weather Service noted that everyone can be affected, but sensitive groups such as people with lung disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk.

Residents in the area were asked to take steps to reduce pollution, such as keeping windows and doors shut, avoiding incense and candles, and limiting the use of purifiers and air conditioners.

This is not an isolated event. The parts of Colorado and Ohio were also affected by the air quality alerts.

As of August 2025, hundreds of thousands of acres have burned in California wildfires. Gifford Fire is the largest active fire, while others include the Rosa Fire and Canyon Fire.

Which country has the best air quality?

Finland, Iceland, and Estonia have the best air quality.