The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department sent an emergency message to patrol cars Wednesday afternoon, warning deputies in Altadena that after days of nearby wildfires, toxic levels in the air were so high that they should wear masks and wear masks before setting foot in their homes. Disinfect uniforms.

The message, sent at 4:35 p.m., began "**ALL PLEASE**" and said the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Hazmat Team reported Altadena's air was "'dangerous, containing lead, asbestos and other harmful particulate matter '".

In all-caps letters on the department's aging computer dispatch system, the message informed deputies that the hazmat team recommended wearing N95 masks while working in the area.

"Hazmat recommends disinfecting your uniform before entering your home," the message concluded.

Notification is coming more than a week later Deputies first responded to reports of a wildfire in Eaton Canyon that resulted in a loss of life At least 16 people and carefully studied thousands of homes, businesses and historical building Located in unincorporated Altadena and nearby Pasadena. The Eaton Fire nearly destroyed the Sheriff's Station on East Altadena Avenue, forcing deputies to evacuate with everything they could carry — guns, body cameras and department memorabilia. 1948 building.

After being relocated to the nearby Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station, deputies from Altadena and across the county flocked to the area for grueling 12-hour shifts. At first they helped with the evacuation. They later turned to suppressing the looters.

For several deputies working in the area, the suggestion that the air around them may be toxic is not surprising.

"My eyes were red and burning," said a police officer who worked a shift there in the days after the fire. The deputy asked not to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media and feared retaliation.

Other deputies and department officials echoed the concerns, reporting coughs, red eyes and headaches.

Even in forested areas, wildfires can produce a variety of pollutants, including toxic particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing respiratory problems, cancer and other health problems.

But when fires engulf urban areas and destroy buildings—e.g. Burnt out hardware storeits barrels were filled with paint and toxic chemicals, and the smoke contained a variety of other harmful particles, including lead and asbestos, deputies were warned in Wednesday's message.

Sheriff's Department officials said they responded to ensure masks were available for officers to wear.

Richard Pippin, President of the Association. The Los Angeles deputy chief emphasized that despite difficult working conditions, officers are still performing their duties.

"Deputies are well aware of the dangerous conditions they face in these fire zones, including asbestos, lead and other hazardous materials in the air they breathe, but that doesn't stop them from focusing on their mission of protecting life and property," he told The Times ”, adding that the union has been in contact with Sheriff Robert Luna to discuss how to better prepare for future incidents.

“Our representatives are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from the community,” he continued, “but our elected officials need to ensure that we are better staffed, equipped and trained to move forward because, sadly, for sure Yes, such disasters, or even worse ones, will happen in the future.”