Wildfire Smoke Safety: Protecting Yourself and Your Family
Monitor current conditions
Use these resources to check air quality and smoke conditions:
- Washington Department of Ecology Air Quality Map
- Southwest Clean Air Agency
- AirNow Fire and Smoke Map
- Clark County Public Health wildfire-smoke guidance
Because smoke conditions can change quickly, check current air quality before making outdoor plans.
Wildfire smoke can make the air unhealthy, even when a fire is many miles away. Smoke contains fine particles that can irritate your eyes and respiratory system and aggravate existing heart and lung conditions.
The best ways to reduce your exposure are to monitor local air quality, spend less time outdoors and avoid strenuous physical activity when the air is smoky.
Who faces greater risk?
Smoke can affect anyone, including otherwise healthy adults. People more likely to experience health problems include:
- Children
- Adults 65 and older
- Pregnant women
- People with asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes or other chronic conditions
- People with colds or respiratory infections
- People who work outdoors
- People who smoke
- People with limited access to health care or clean indoor air
Those with heart or lung conditions should follow the medical plan developed with their health care provider and keep necessary medications available.
Prepare before smoke arrives
A few preparations can help keep the air inside your home cleaner:
- Replace filters in your heating or cooling system as needed.
- Consider purchasing a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter.
- Learn how to set your home and vehicle air conditioning to recirculate.
- Consider making a clean-air fan with a box fan and a MERV 13 filter.
- Plan indoor alternatives for outdoor activities, exercise, camps and family outings.
- Make sure prescriptions and other necessary medications are available.
If you expect to spend extended periods outside, consider obtaining an N95 or N100 respirator and learning how to wear it properly.
Protect yourself when the air is smoky
Check current air quality before going outside or traveling elsewhere in the region. Conditions can change throughout the day.
When air quality is poor:
- Limit time outdoors.
- Avoid running, strenuous exercise and other vigorous outdoor activity.
- Keep windows and doors closed.
- Set air conditioning in your home and vehicle to recirculate.
- Use a portable HEPA air cleaner if one is available.
- Avoid burning candles, smoking, frying food and using aerosol products.
- Avoid vacuuming unless the vacuum has a HEPA filter.
- Choose indoor alternatives for outdoor activities.
If you cannot keep the air inside your home clean and safely cool, consider visiting a library, community center or another public indoor location with monitored air quality. Relocating may be necessary when air quality reaches hazardous levels.
Do masks protect against wildfire smoke?
A properly fitted N95 or N100 respirator can provide some protection from the fine particles in wildfire smoke. Fit is important—a respirator that does not seal properly may offer little protection.
Respirators cannot form an effective seal over facial hair and have not been fully tested for use by children. People with heart disease, lung disease or other chronic conditions should consult a health care provider before wearing one because respirators can make breathing more difficult.
Cloth face coverings do little to protect against the small particles found in wildfire smoke.
Know the symptoms of smoke exposure
Symptoms may include:
- Burning or irritated eyes
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
Move to cleaner air if symptoms develop. People experiencing serious symptoms, including chest pain or shortness of breath, should seek immediate medical care.