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Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire smoke damages air quality for days. Create a clean room at home and limit outdoor time.

Risk Tier B Reviewed: verified on 2026-11-01

Who is most at risk from wildfire smoke

During heavy smoke, everyone is at risk. Some people experience greater health effects:

  • People aged 65 and older
  • Infants and young children
  • Pregnant people
  • People with lung or heart conditions
  • People who work outdoors

Health effects of wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that penetrates deep into the lungs. This represents the main health risk from wildfire smoke.

Common milder symptoms:

  • Headaches
  • Mild cough and mucus production
  • Nose, throat, eye, and sinus irritation

More serious symptoms (seek medical care):

  • Dizziness
  • Wheezing and chest pain
  • Shortness of breath and asthma attacks

BEFORE wildfire season: Prepare your home for smoke

Create a clean-air room

  • Pick one room in your home to be your refuge during smoke events
  • Install or have a portable HEPA air cleaner ready for this room
  • Keep doors closed to other rooms to seal in clean air
  • Have extra filters for your HVAC system (MERV 13 or higher rating)

Stock smoke protection supplies

  • N95 or KN95 respirators (several per household member)
  • Portable air cleaner with HEPA filter if you don't have central air conditioning
  • Ensure windows and doors seal properly (repair any gaps)

Prepare your household

  • Stock your 72-hour emergency kit with water, medications, and documents
  • Know your evacuation route in case you need to leave
  • Have a go-bag ready with documents, medications, respirators, and pet carriers
  • Keep your vehicle fueled during wildfire season in case evacuation is ordered

DURING wildfire smoke: Stay in your clean room and limit outdoor time

Protect your indoor air

  • Close windows and doors as much as possible to reduce smoke infiltration
  • Use air conditioning in recirculate mode if available to avoid pulling outside smoke in
  • Run your portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter in your main living space
  • Replace HVAC filters more frequently if they become clogged with smoke
  • Sleep in your clean room with the door closed

Limit outdoor exposure

  • Check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to guide your outdoor activities
  • At AQHI 4-6 (moderate risk): Consider reducing strenuous outdoor activities if you have symptoms like coughing or throat irritation
  • At AQHI 7-10+ (high risk): Reduce or avoid strenuous outdoor activities
  • Use only a well-fitted N95 or KN95 respirator if you must go outside—cloth and surgical masks do not filter fine smoke particles
  • Exercise indoors instead of outdoors
  • Reduce outdoor time, especially for children, seniors, and people with lung or heart disease
  • Take medications as prescribed (asthma inhalers, blood pressure medications)

If evacuation is ordered

  • Leave immediately with your go-bag, family, and pets
  • Follow official evacuation routes only
  • Go to the evacuation centre authorities specify

AFTER the smoke clears

If you evacuated

  • Check with authorities before returning home
  • Do not return until they declare it safe

Clean your home

  • Ventilate thoroughly once smoke clears by opening windows
  • Clean or replace HVAC filters if clogged with soot
  • Clean furniture and surfaces to remove remaining soot
  • Monitor air quality in case smoke returns if winds change
  • Check on older adults and neighbors to ensure they are safe

Key reminders

  • Vulnerable people (seniors, children, those with lung disease) need extra protection from wildfire smoke
  • Stay in your clean room with a closed door and running air cleaner during smoke events
  • Check the AQHI regularly to know when outdoor activities are safe
  • Only N95/KN95 respirators filter smoke properly—cloth masks do not work
  • Obey evacuation orders immediately if issued