Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles from burning trees, buildings, and other material. Wildfire smoke contains PM2.5 or fine particulate matter that can reach deep into your lungs and even enter your bloodstream, leading to serious health issues.
PM2.5 has been linked to decreased lung function, increased respiratory symptoms including asthma attacks, exacerbation of existing heart disease, irregular heartbeat, premature death among people with existing heart and lung conditions, cognitive impacts, adverse birth outcomes, and negative impacts on mental health.
Wildfire smoke in particular is a growing health risk in Washington, especially during the summer and early fall. Though a wildfire might not be burning exactly in your city, wildfire smoke can travel for many miles, so it’s important to take precautions to protect yourself and your children.
Wildfire Smoke Can Make You Sick
Breathing in wildfire smoke can cause the following symptoms:
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation (burning eyes, runny nose, coughing)
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Wheezing and shortness of breath
- Increased symptoms from existing conditions, particularly lung and heart diseases (asthma attacks, chest pain, irregular heartbeat)
Breathing smoky air is harmful for everyone, but it poses a greater threat to people with existing lung or heart problems, infants and young children, pregnant individuals, older adults (over 65), and people with a history of heart attack or stroke. Move someone inside if they have any symptoms from wildfire smoke. If they have asthma or another respiratory or heart condition, keep inhalers and medications ready and make a plan with your healthcare provider.
How to Protect Your Family on Smoky Days
1. Check air quality
Check air quality forecasts and current conditions before going outside or opening doors and windows.
You can find air quality information at:
- www.pscleanair.gov
- https://wasmoke.blogspot.com
- your phone’s weather app
Stay indoors when AQI is 150+. Children under age 18, adults over age 65, and others at higher risk from smoke should stay indoors when AQI is 100+. When air quality deteriorates, people should limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and keep indoor air clean. If you must be outside, wear a properly fitted, NIOSH-approved particulate respirator, such as an N95 mask.
2. Keep indoor air clean
One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family during a smoke event is to stay indoors and keep your indoor air clean.
During smoke events:
- Close windows and doors
- Don’t use candles, sprays, or gas stoves
- Don’t smoke indoors
- Avoid frying or broiling
- Avoid vacuuming unless your vacuum has a HEPA filter
- Use HVAC, a portable cleaner, or a filter fan:
- If you have an HVAC system (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning), use a high efficiency filter (MERV-13 or higher) and set the system to close intake of outside air.
- Using a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter is a good way to clean your indoor air. More info: EPA Indoor Air Filtration Fact Sheet.
- Make your own filter fan if you do not have HVAC or a portable cleaner.
3. Make plans for indoor activities on smoky days
Being cooped up inside when there’s wildfire smoke can make everyone restless. It helps to have a list prepared in advanced of indoor activities to do on smoky days. Some examples of activities include dance party, karaoke, board games and puzzles, crafts, and movies. You can make this list in advanced on your own or collaboratively with the whole family as an opportunity to teach about wildfire preparedness.
You can find a variety of indoor activities and coloring pages on the Snohomish County Health Department activities page. There’s one on Keeping Cool: Heat and Wildfire Smoke Safety in both English and Spanish.
4. Stay Informed
Check www.snoco.org/smoke for information and updates.
Follow the Snohomish County Health Department and Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on social media for updates.
With a bit of preparation, you can safeguard your family during wildfire events. Share these tips with neighbors and friends so everyone can breathe easy.
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