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

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.

Buildings burned and other were charred from the Eaton Fire near Altadena, California. (Credit: Erika Hernandez)

See before and after photos from the California wildfires:

LOS ANGELES − As multiple wildfires continue to burn through Southern California, evacuation orders remain in place throughout the region through at least Thursday. Authorities continue to investigating the causes of three wildfires that began burning in Southern California on Tuesday and two fires that sparked north of Los Angeles and in Hollywood on Wednesday.