Massive wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area have filled the air with a thick cloud of smoke and ash, prompting air quality advisories

Southern California ‒ with sprawling cities, clogged freeways and heavy industry ‒ is already notorious for some of the worst air quality in the nation. This week's wildfires are putting millions of people at risk for immediate health problems and longer-term issues.

As wildfires blaze across California, here is how inhaling smoke could affect your health, from itchy eyes to dementia risk.

High pressure is building from the north and that will help to tighten the pressure gradient over southern California, producing more gusty winds.