Southern California wildfires have forced health systems to close outpatient facilities throughout the area, limiting access to care.
Dozens of fires surrounded Los Angeles County this week, scorching around 40,000 acres and destroying more than 10,000 homes, vehicles and businesses over a four-day span as of Friday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The largest wildfires, Palisades and Eaton, are less than 10% contained, the agency estimates.
Related: Rising tide of emergencies prompts need for broader preparedness
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on Friday declared a public health emergency for California. Public health emergencies give first responders some regulatory flexibility.
Kaiser Permanente, Providence, Cedars-Sinai, Adventist Health and UCLA Health have had to shutter some facilities as a result of the fires. The closures may pose long-term consequences for patients who aren’t able to get care.
Those health systems have kept their Southern California hospitals open, but paused non-urgent procedures and closed certain clinics. Hospitals remain fully functional, health system representatives said.
"These closures can create a cascading effect of challenges for patients,” Julie Abrams, associate director of programs and response for disaster preparedness nonprofit Healthcare Ready, said in an email. "Delaying elective procedures — while not immediately critical — can significantly impact the management of chronic conditions and overall quality of life.”
As the fires grow, hospital-based providers are treating an increasing number of patients with respiratory conditions linked to the wildfire smoke.
Here’s a rundown of closed Southern California clinics:
- Oakland, California-based Kaiser shut down a handful of ambulatory facilities in Sylmar, Pasadena, Thousand Oaks, Rosemead and Santa Monica, a spokesperson said.
- Renton, Washington-based Providence closed clinics in the Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Mission Hills, Simi Valley and Agoura Hills, a spokesperson said.
- Los Angeles, California-based Cedars-Sinai closed facilities in Santa Monica, Brentwood and Pasadena, according to its website.
- Roseville, California-based Adventist Health shut down its Montrose and Glendale outpatient sites.
- Los Angeles-based UCLA Health closed clinics in Alhambra, Calabasas, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks, a spokesperson said.
CommonSpirit Health has not had to close any facilities, according to a spokesperson.
