How to Protect Your Health During Wildfire Season

Wildfires don't have to be close by to impact your health. Smoke can travel hundreds of miles and linger in the air long after a fire starts, affecting the air you breathe.

The good news?

Understanding how wildfire smoke affects your health and knowing how to reduce your exposure can help protect you and your loved ones during smoky conditions.

Is wildfire smoke harmful?

Yes. Wildfire smoke is a toxic mix of harmful gases and tiny particles from burning vegetation (plants, trees, grass), building structures, and other materials.

Much of the harmful effects of wildfire smoke come from fine particulate matter.

These microscopic particles are about 30 times smaller than a strand of hair, allowing them to travel deep into your lungs and even pass directly into your bloodstream.

How wildfire smoke affects your health

Wildfire smoke can irritate your nose, throat, lungs, eyes, and skin, causing:

• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Coughing or wheezing
• Stinging, itchy, or watery eyes
• Dry skin

Inhaling wildfire smoke can also trigger inflammation throughout your body. This may lead to:

• Headaches
• Tiredness
• Overall feeling of being unwell

Symptoms to watch out for

Seek care right away if you or a loved one experiences any of the following:

• Trouble breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Sudden weakness or confusion

These could be signs of a more serious situation and should be addressed immediately.

Who is most at risk?

Wildfire smoke can affect anyone, but some groups are more likely to experience more serious health effects.

This includes those with:

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Heart disease or related conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity

Other groups at higher risk include:

• Children
• Pregnant women
• Adults age 65 and older

How to protect your health

Follow these tips to protect yourself from the smoke's harmful effects:

Stay indoors

Keep windows and doors closed to prevent outdoor smoke from entering your home.

Wear a mask

If you must be outside, wear a properly fitted N95 mask or KN95 respirator. Cloth and surgical masks don’t effectively filter the fine particles present in wildfire smoke.

Check air quality

Visit AirNow.gov or check local news updates to monitor the air quality conditions where you live. Some weather apps can also provide information on the air quality in your area.

Reduce indoor air pollution

Avoid activities that can worsen indoor air quality, including:

• Frying or grilling foods
• Burning candles
• Using gas or wood-burning stoves and furnaces

Use an air purifier

Outdoor smoke can sometimes sneak indoors. Portable air cleaners and purifiers can help filter harmful particles from the indoor air. Be sure to choose an air cleaner designed for the size of your room or space.

Wildfires are often unpredictable. But knowing the harmful effects of wildfire smoke and how to reduce your exposure can help protect you and your loved one's health.