well, doctor anish mahajan, i really appreciate your time. and thank you very much. >> thank you. >> it is a tangible it is a tangible reality for everyone here. you know, people just driving. and it is quite disconcerting if you're on something like rodeo drive and, you know, the world knows that for what they know it for, right? all of that. and then you see all of the cars driving through those fancy cars you would expect, and then just ash coming down everywhere, just images that are are hard for everyone to understand that this is what it has come to. and the fuel for these devastating fires is, is wind and it is going to ramp up. that's the reality of it. it's the weather. and those winds are anticipated to intensify and dramatically so over these next hours, as firefighters are racing to contain some of those open flames and to contain this, to try to set up a line of defense from some more of los angeles's most densely populated neighborhoods. we'll be back with kobe. cnn. >> what drives your business? numbers, data. >> sales? sure, b

s chief deputy director of public health, anish mahajan, spoke with cnn about the problem. he says he's worried about the long term health risks associated with exposure to this level of smoke and ash. he cautioned residents to stay indoors if possible and to wear filtration masks outside. mahajan is also worried about the county's water there's an even greater problem of these toxins that you're describing with the burnt out areas of the houses and all the chemicals that we live with that are now burned to ash, they also can find their way into the water. >> so we have several water districts here in l.a. indicating that residents do not use the water. and that means you should not only not drink it, but you should also not use it for things like bathing, brushing your teeth or other other activities. and instead you should be using an alternative source. and so these are steps that we are asking folks to take here in los angeles to avoid the health risks of this, of this wildfire smoke and ash. >> mahajan says toxins from wildfire smoke can cause serious problems, especia

anish mahajan chief deputy director of l.a. county public health.the air quality is improving, as we have seen the smoke lessen with the better containment of the fires. at this time, the south coast air quality air quality management division is indicating whether a smoke advisory specifically in those areas close to the fires in the northwest component of the county, county residents should continue to monitor the air quality index, the aqi levels, wherever they are. but we are seeing improved aqi numbers, and so we encourage residents who are closest to the fire, who are smelling smoke or seeing it, who have the aqi levels in the unhealthy zones to be using masks when they're outside. >> any other questions? all right. thank you so much. oh we have i'm sorry i'm blocked. go ahead. sorry. >> simon buie, cbs network news. um, just clarity on the discussions with the incoming administration about a visit or communication regarding this disaster. just to be clear, has has mayor bass have you or you, supervisor varga or has anyone in the governor's of

. >> anish mahajan, chief deputy director of l.a. county public health. >> the air quality is improving as we have seen the smoke lessen with the better containment of the fires. at this time, the south coast quality air quality management division is indicating whether a smoke advisory, specifically in those areas close to the fires in the northwest component of the county, county residents should continue to monitor the air quality index, the aqi levels, wherever they are. but we are seeing improved aqi numbers, and so we encourage residents who are closest to the fire, who are smelling smoke or seeing it, who have the aqi levels in the unhealthy zones to be using masks when they're outside. >> any other questions? >> a very important point, by the way, for those people who are in a rush to get back to their homes, air quality is a massive issue. we've watched for the last two years where fires in canada were affecting air quality in new york city. so important to remember masks, checking air quality when you want to get back. bran

the department of public health's chief deputy doctor, anish mahajan, is here and can help answer questions quality. the strength and resolve of los angeles county residents, as well as our extraordinary first responders from every level of government, as well as our private citizens from across the country and right here in our own county, will be the way we get through this unimaginable tragedy. thank you. i'd now like to welcome up l.a. county fire chief anthony moroney. >> thank you. supervisor. so good morning. the eaton fire. current estimated acreage 13,956 acres with 3% containment. we still have 4 to 5000 structures that may be damaged or destroyed. once we do our damage inspection reports, we'll get a more accurate number for you. we currently have 1527 firefighting personnel remaining assigned to this incident. the la county fire department is in unified command with the us forest service. the la county sheriff's, along with the pasadena, arcadia, sierra madre fire departments and the pasadena police department. yesterday afternoon, the fire the fire in the eaton canyon did make