Fires, Ash, and the Ocean’s Health

Lately, the ocean’s facing another threat: ash and debris from the wildfires tearing through Los Angeles. Fires like the current LA blazes are dumping particles into rivers and storm drains that eventually make their way to the coastline. This fire-related runoff can carry toxic materials, turning your local break into a hazardous zone. Surfers love to push limits, but this isn’t the time to take risks. Knowing what’s in the water before you paddle out is more crucial than ever.

Another major reason to avoid surfing after a fire is the contamination of ocean water. Wildfires leave behind ash composed of everything consumed by the flames—plants, homes, plastics, and more. This ash washes into the ocean, filling the water with harmful particles. Surfing through or swallowing this water can expose you to toxins that irritate your mouth, eyes, and ears. To stay safe, wait at least two full tide cycles after the fire has been extinguished. This allows the ocean to naturally dilute and flush out much of the debris and toxins—a rule of thumb similar to avoiding the ocean after heavy rain.