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How to manage wildfires when smoke compromises health and air quality

   May 20, 2024
How to manage wildfires when smoke compromises health and air quality


Even people who are not in the direct line of fire are at risk of health problems from smoke from nearby wildfires.

More people and our communities are at risk of injury if wildfires become more common as a result of climate change and drier circumstances. Here are some tips to help you prepare and protect your loved ones.

How does wildfire smoke affect air quality?
Wildfire smoke significantly degrades the air we breathe. Similar to pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, wildfires release toxic gases and respirable particles (PM10, PM2.5 and PM0.1) in the form of microscopic particles. There are other poisons found in wildfire smoke that originates from burning houses.

Smoke carried by jet streams and weather patterns can reach faraway places.

What effects can smoke from forest fires have on health?
The most dangerous to human health are the small particles found in smoke from forest fires. These particles have the ability to occasionally enter the bloodstream and penetrate deep into the lungs when inhaled.

Wildfire smoke can cause breathing difficulties, coughing, wheezing and eye irritation. Additionally, smoke can increase the likelihood of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19. Strokes, heart attacks and heart failure They are other potentially dangerous consequences for health.

Who should be especially careful?
Groups most vulnerable to the dangers of wildfire smoke include the young, the elderly, outdoor workers, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung problems.

You should discuss with your doctor the possible effects of smoking on any chronic health conditions you may have. Find out which symptoms require a visit to the doctor or a change in your medication. This is especially important if you have heart or lung problems.

What steps can you take to be prepared for a wildfire?
If you live in a region where wildfires are a threat or where hot, dry weather increases the likelihood of wildfires occurring:

Plan to evacuate your family before a wildfire breaks out.
Make sure you stock up on water, non-perishable foods, and prescriptions for several days. This will come in handy in case a wildfire or other natural disaster forces you to evacuate quickly.

Please check this fire and smoke map frequently as it provides links to state alerts and shows current wildfire conditions.
Consider purchasing an air purifier. If you reside in an unsafe building, this is crucial even in the absence of local wildfires. For advice on air purifiers and pollutionsee my previous post. Avoid air cleaners that produce ozone.another pollutant, warns the EPA.

If you have an HVAC system, familiarize yourself with it. The cleanliness and quality of your filters are important, so if possible, select high efficiency filters and replace them as necessary. It is also essential to find out if your system has exterior air intake grilles.

Refrain from causing contamination inside. This includes refraining from smoking, vacuuming, and lighting items such as incense or candles. Stay away from gas burners and the stove, especially if your stove is poorly ventilated.

Establish a “clean room.” Select a space with few windows and doorways. Use a room-sized air purifier, especially if you don’t use central air conditioning, to stay cool.

Wear a mask outdoors and limit time spent outdoors. Again, it may be beneficial to stock up on non-perishable foods and pharmaceuticals several days in advance. Reduce the amount of time and activities if you must go outdoors. You can avoid inhaling small particles floating in smoky air by using a proper fit N95KN95 or P100 mask or respirator (note: automatic PDF download).



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