Study Tracks Cancer Risk for Firefighters Battling LA Fires

The Wildfire Conservancy is pioneering a groundbreaking cancer study focused on the brave firefighters combating the Palisades Fire. The aim is to monitor how extreme wildfire conditions elevate the risk of cancer among these first responders.

This study comes on the heels of the International Agency for Research on Cancer's classification of firefighting as a carcinogenic occupation.

In partnership with Cal Fire, the National Firefighter Cancer Cohort Study, and the University of Arizona, this initiative seeks to provide invaluable insights into the long-term health effects faced by firefighters on the front lines.

Eating better without the work? That’s Tovala.

“What’s for dinner?” That’s a question you never (ever) have to answer again. Tovala is the meal delivery service with its own smart oven and a rotating menu of chef-crafted meals to choose from every week, all delivered fresh to your door and ready in minutes.

Tovala lets you eat well without spending all your time in the kitchen. Sign up now and enjoy:

• 35+ meals on our weekly rotating menu: from low-cal to high-protein to comfort food faves—we got you

• Just 1 minute of prep (that’s it!)

• Freshly cooked meals (never microwaved) using precision cook cycles

• No sacrifice to quality, taste, or your time!

Eating better has never been so easy. Get your Tovala Smart Oven today!

Dr. Matt Rahn, Executive Director of the Wildfire Conservancy, described the air quality during the Palisades Fire as a "toxic soup of air and ash," underscoring the severity of the exposure.

“This is akin to a 9/11-scale exposure incident, and we must start treating it as such,” Dr. Rahn explained.

Firefighters on the front lines are exposed to a range of harmful substances, including carbon monoxide and heavy metals, all of which pose serious risks for cancer, respiratory issues, and neurological damage.

“This isn’t just a wildfire where vegetation burns,” Dr. Rahn continued. “This is an event that involves thousands of homes, creating a widespread contamination crisis.”

The study involves 50 firefighters, who will provide blood and urine samples and share personal health information. Additionally, they will wear silicone wristbands designed to absorb contaminants like ash, soot, and smoke, which will be tested for toxins.

“We’re working with Cal Fire and other partners to collect post-exposure blood samples after the fire,” Rahn said. “One of the key areas we’re focusing on is micro-RNA in the blood, a marker of DNA damage.”

For many of these firefighters, the reality of cancer is an expectation. “They understand the risks they face today will help protect future generations of firefighters,” Rahn added.

The Sacramento firefighting community has already seen the devastating toll of cancer. Parker Wilbourn, a spokesperson for Sacramento Metro Fire, shared, “We’ve lost a number of young firefighters, many with young families, to cancer. It’s heartbreaking. It’s no longer just the retirees.”

Wilbourn also pointed out a gap in resources: “Here in our area, we have protocols for decontamination after each incident, but when firefighters are deployed out of town or at base camps, those resources are often unavailable.”

The study will continue as long as the Palisades Fire is active. Researchers hope their work will lead to long-term improvements in firefighter protective gear, safety protocols, and health interventions.

For Los Angeles residents, doctors recommend wearing an N95 mask and replacing it every few days when in close proximity to the fire's hazardous air.

This study marks a pivotal step in understanding the dangers faced by firefighters, aiming to safeguard their health for generations to come.