en.Wedoany.com Reported - In response to the ongoing impact of the 2026 Palos Fire in Boyle Heights, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) Governing Board recently approved up to $5 million in additional funding to provide air purifiers to local residents.
Board Chair Michael Cacciotti stated that the community's need for the program is clear, with thousands of residents having applied since the fire. The additional funding will help expand the program, allowing eligible residents to receive up to two HEPA air purifiers and three years of filter replacements as soon as possible.
This funding will expand South Coast AQMD's AB 617 Residential Air Filtration Program to assist residents in Boyle Heights and surrounding communities during cleanup activities. Over the past two weeks, South Coast AQMD has received approximately 2,000 applications for air filtration devices due to the fire's impact. The cleanup involves removing about 85 million pounds of food waste from a 500,000-square-foot warehouse, which may generate additional dust, particulate matter, and odors during demolition, debris removal, and truck transport. Air purifiers help reduce indoor exposure, providing extra protection for children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions.
Under the program, eligible households can receive up to two CARB-certified high-efficiency particulate air purifiers that remove 99.97% of particles from indoor air, effectively filtering smoke and dust, and are ENERGY STAR certified. The program also provides a three-year supply of replacement filters, with all items delivered free of charge directly to recipients. Applicants must reside in the East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, or West Commerce communities and verify their address with a government-issued ID or utility bill. Purifiers are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and the program is currently open for applications.
South Coast AQMD is working with local and state elected officials, community organizations, and environmental groups to identify outreach events and provide in-person assistance with application submissions for eligible residents. Outreach efforts include participating in local community meetings and events, engaging through the AB 617 ELABHWC Community Steering Committee, and providing online updates and resources via the agency's website.
The air purifier program is one of several measures South Coast AQMD has implemented to protect public health during the cleanup, alongside air monitoring, inspections, and ongoing community outreach. The agency is collaborating with partner city and county agencies to minimize odors during the cleanup process.
South Coast AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality in the region encompassing Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley. Air monitoring data and program details are available on the official website.
