Wildfires bring pollution hazards for unhoused people in LA: ‘Like breathing in lead’

As officials urge people to stay indoors, those experiencing homelessness struggle to shield themselves from toxic air

Thick, noxious clouds of smoke engulfed Los Angeles as several wildfires rage across the region, creating heightened hazards for the tens of thousands of unhoused people living on the streets in the county.

As authorities ordered evacuations for more than 82,000 people in various parts of LA and urged others to remain indoors to shield themselves from the gray smoke, unhoused Angelenos were struggling to protect themselves from the pollution.