LA Wildfire Relief: Lessons Learned, Community Heroes, and the Urgent Need for Clean Air Solutions
Table of Contents
Introduction
Wildfires in California have long been a harrowing reality, but the devastation of the most recent fires in Los Angeles has reignited an urgent conversation about air quality and community resilience. Toxic smoke blanketed neighborhoods, forcing millions indoors to escape hazardous air.
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As a newly established nonprofit dedicated to developing high-quality, low-cost air purifiers, we at Air Support Project have witnessed this crisis with heavy hearts—but also with profound gratitude for the extraordinary individuals, nonprofits, and businesses that have rallied to bring hope, relief, and cleaner air to so many.
This blog post highlights the powerful efforts of those who stepped up during one of LA’s most trying wildfire seasons. Their work offers a blueprint for handling any air quality emergency—one that demands ingenuity, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to health and well-being. Wildfire smoke hazards affect indoor air quality, even in areas far from the flames. Let’s take a closer look at what you can do to prepare and protect yourself, by following the lead of heroes in the community and beyond who are helping to make clean indoor air accessible to all.
The Community Heroes: Nonprofits Leading the Way
Wildfire smoke doesn’t remain outdoors; it seeps into homes, schools, and workplaces, posing a serious health threat. In response, groups like The Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation (CRF) have been at the forefront of grassroots action. The CRF has delivered more than 1,000 lifesaving do-it-yourself (DIY) air purifiers—widely known as Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes or CR Boxes—to those in need. In one remarkable effort, board member Liesl McConchie and a 50-person volunteer team assembled over 400 CR Boxes in just 12 hours, providing immediate relief to thousands suffering from wildfire smoke. Further amplifying the foundation’s impact, board member Dr. Kim Prather developed innovative shrouds that enhance each box’s effectiveness—showcasing the transformative power of science and compassion working in tandem.
Joaquin Beltran continued this momentum with Action Care Equity by distributing 200 DIY air filters donated by CRF to the Pasadena Job Center in just two days. This effort involved extraordinary community partners such as Midnight Books LA, Peace and Freedom LA, The Ace Coalition, and many generous volunteers. They proved that when local groups join forces, even the most daunting challenges can be tackled head-on.
If you’re inspired to take similar action, we have easy-to-follow instructions on building DIY air purifiers—cost-effective solutions that can make a life-or-death difference during smoke events. These DIY purifying units (CR Boxes) can be made for approximately $100, are easy to assemble with products you can get at your local stores, and work better than most HEPA purifiers on the market.
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Mask Blocs: Grassroots Superheroes
Outdoor air quality is hazardous in areas experiencing wildfires, making respiratory protection vitally important. Wearing a high-quality mask, such as an N95 or similar respirator, during wildfire events is crucial for protecting your health. Wildfire smoke contains harmful fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and toxic gases that can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory irritation, exacerbating existing conditions like asthma, and increasing the risk of long-term health issues. Masks designed to filter out fine particles provide an effective barrier, reducing exposure and helping safeguard both short- and long-term well-being. When the air outside is unbreathable, these measures become essential, not optional.
In response, groups like Mask Bloc LA, Clean Air LA, Airgasmic LA and Clean Air Claremont leapt into action, distributing N95 respirators and other protective gear directly to those most in need. A heartfelt shoutout to the members of Clean Air Claremont, including Samson, Maga, Crystal, and Nicklepin for their incredible effort in building 90 air purifiers, entirely funded by community donations. This inspiring initiative, driven by (Claremont area students, faculty, staff members, and community members of the San Gabriel Valley, Inland Empire, and Orange County), demonstrates the power of collective action in addressing air quality challenges during the LA wildfires and making a meaningful difference for those most affected. Feeling inspired? Find your Mask Bloc local group here.
As highlighted by the Public Health Action Network, these pop-up operations effectively bypassed bureaucratic delays, ensuring that low-income and often overlooked communities received the critical protection they needed. Mask Bloc Seattle further amplified these efforts by donating over 2,000 respirators, significantly expanding the reach and impact of Mask Bloc LA’s vital work.
Babs is an artist and activist who has lived with lupus since childhood, channeling their personal experience into advocacy for stronger public health measures. As an organizer of Mask Bloc LA, they’ve been at the forefront of mask distribution and air purifier efforts in LA, earning widespread praise from the community, which expresses unwavering confidence in Babs’ commitment and leadership.
Corporate Contributions: Amplifying Impact
Beyond grassroots efforts, several businesses leveraged their resources and networks to help. Amoeba Records transformed its location into a distribution hub for masks and air purifiers alongside Dustin Drury, an organizer with Clean Air LA. Meanwhile, Medify Air donated 500 HEPA air purifiers through FEMA to the Los Angeles Dream Center, plus over 100 purifiers and many replacement filters to local community groups for distribution. The company is offering emergency pricing for all bulk orders and free local delivery, and Medify is matching all January online purifier sales by donating units of equal or greater value to those in need—a model of tangible generosity in action.Flo Mask—a reusable respirator company that provides adult and child sized elastomeric masks—offered a 30% discount with the code “CaliStrong,” ensuring high-quality masks reached as many Californians as possible. Nonprofit Smart Air donated air purifiers to amplify community efforts, illustrating how business goals can align powerfully with lifesaving relief initiatives. Armbrust mask manufacturers also stepped up, enabling organizations like Mask Bloc LA to distribute 180,000 duckbill masks. Additionally, Air Gradient is offering a free air quality monitor to those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.
Bona Fide Masks made a significant impact during the wildfire crisis by donating 250,000 Powecom KN95 masks to support communities in need. Recipients included organizations like the LA Dream Center, Pasadena Community Job Center, First UMC Pasadena, Mask Bloc LA, Airgasmic LA, and others. For more information on donations, their email is donations@bonafidemasks. These masks provided essential protection against harmful wildfire smoke, ensuring vulnerable populations had access to reliable respiratory safety.
ElastomaskPro, as highlighted in their tweet, has been an advocate for the use of elastomeric respirators in addressing air quality concerns during crises. Their current promotion offers $40 off with the code “EASY24,” encouraging accessibility to their durable respiratory safety solutions. These collective efforts underscore the vital role businesses can play in life saving initiatives during times of crisis.
Government Aid
The Residential Air Filtration Incentives program by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) aims to reduce indoor exposure to particulate matter (PM) for residents in specific AB 617 communities, including East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, West Commerce, and Eastern Coachella Valley. Eligible residents can receive free portable air filtration units equipped with certified High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, capable of removing 99.97% of particles from indoor air. The program also provides replacement filters and is currently accepting applications on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.
Knowledge Is Power: Virtual Events and Community Dialogues
In any crisis, knowledge can be as vital as physical resources. Wildfire smoke is a cocktail of harmful substances—particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde, to name just a few. Even healthy individuals can experience coughing, eye irritation, and respiratory issues; for those with preexisting health conditions, the stakes are even higher.
To address the threats of wildfire smoke and respiratory illness, Mask Together America hosted a virtual session titled “Double Emergencies: Viral Surge + Wildfire Smoke Expert,” offering practical tips on respiratory protection and home safety. On January 15, Coalition for Clean Air held a webinar “The Fires: Air Quality, Public Health and What to Do Next Webinar Summary.”
Part of our mission at Air Support Project is providing educational infographics and blogs, such as:
How to Create a Wildfire Smoke-free Space (also known as a Clean Air Room)
Reading Between the AQI Lines (Guide to understanding outdoor Air Quality Index)
Indoor Air Quality, COVID-19, and Wildfire Smoke (Understanding the Dual-Threats)
Support Our Mission
As part of our commitment to ensuring that clean, safe air is not a luxury but a universal right, we are developing —an advanced indoor air filtration unit offering unrivaled Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) per dollar. Engineered for low noise and high efficiency, our unit promises to outperform comparable units on the market, providing the most cost-effective clean-air solution.
Your generous contributions will help us finalize and deploy these units to schools, shelters, and other underserved congregate spaces where respiratory health is at the greatest risk. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your donation to Air Support Project is tax-deductible and directly fuels research, development, and distribution efforts to reach those who need it most.
Every dollar helps us move closer to our goal of safeguarding indoor air quality for everyone—regardless of economic or geographic barriers. Join the mission by donating today and be part of a solution that protects public health while shaping a cleaner, healthier future. Donate Here.
Join the Conversation: Twitter/X Space on Wildfire Relief and Clean Air
In line with our commitment to fostering dialogue and community resilience, we invite you to join us on January 21st at 9 PM EST for an essential Twitter/X Space event. We’ll be discussing the critical lessons learned from LA’s wildfire relief efforts, the wide-ranging impacts of poor air quality, and tangible strategies to protect ourselves and our communities.
Our distinguished panel includes:
- Dr. Kim Prather (@kprather88), distinguished Chair in Atmospheric Chemistry, UC San Diego, and board member of the Corsie Rosenthal Foundation
- Liesl McConchie (@LieslMcConchie), whose leadership helped assemble over 400 CR Boxes in a single day
- Tony Colaneri (@TonyColaneri) from Medify, a key collaborator in expanding air purifier reach
- Nicklepin (@nickelpin), from Clean Air Claremont, who helped build 90 air purifiers funded by community donations
This interactive Twitter Space will provide practical steps for safeguarding indoor air quality, highlight the power of collective action, and explore how each of us can play a role in ensuring clean air for all. Set a reminder, spread the word, and tune in for insights and inspiration from community heroes on the frontline of air quality innovation. We look forward to seeing you there!
Air Support Project: Reflections on the LA Wildfire Crisis
At Air Support Project, our mission is to advance clean-air technology and protect communities from these toxic events. The magnitude of LA’s recent wildfires is staggering: over 40,000 acres burned across California, and 17 million residents in the South Coast Air Basin suffered from hazardous air quality earlier this month. While some outdoor conditions have improved, localized areas remain at risk, underscoring a basic truth:
No one should be forced to breathe poisonous air.
The LA wildfires have brought heartbreak and uncertainty—but also a renewed sense of resilience, solidarity, and relentless hope. From nonprofits and small volunteer groups to corporate giants, we’ve seen what’s possible when compassion meets innovation. As we continue to grow at Air Support Project, we stand committed to working alongside these tireless heroes, aiming to make clean air a universal standard rather than a luxury enjoyed by a few.
Join us in this mission—whether it’s by building a DIY air purifier, donating to a local nonprofit, or simply sharing knowledge. Every act, no matter how small, becomes a stitch in the tapestry of our collective health and safety.
Fuel clean-air solutions—make your tax-deductible gift today here.
“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.”
Sarah Masih, MD, MBA
Sarah Masih is the Executive Director of Air Support Project and has extensive experience in project management, fundraising, and communications. Her deep commitment to public health and her collaborative approach with community organizations and health experts make her a vital force in the fight for cleaner air and healthier communities.
what's in the air we breathe?
On average, we breathe 6 liters every minute, mainly indoors. Indoor air quality is often worse than outdoor air which underscores our need for cleaner air and safer spaces. Our air is made up of microparticles such as dust, pollen, mold, viruses, pet dander, and VOCs. These particles can enter our bloodstream through our lungs after we inhale them. The air we breathe impacts our daily and long-term well-being and health. Follow us at Air Support Project. We want you to know better so you can breathe better.
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“I must fight with all my strength so that the little positive things that my health allows me to do might be pointed toward helping the revolution. The only real reason for living.”
FRIDA KAHLO