Chronic Conditions and Wildfire Smoke

People with any chronic condition should take the following steps to protect themselves from wildfire smoke:

• Before wildfire season:
  • Talk to your healthcare provider. Plan how you will protect yourself against wildfire smoke.
  • Stock up on medicine. Store a 7 to 10-day supply of prescription medicines in a waterproof, childproof container to take with you if you evacuate.
  • Buy groceries you won’t need to cook. Frying or grilling especially can make indoor air pollution worse.
• During a wildfire smoke event:
  • Pay attention to air quality reports. Follow instructions about exercise and going outside for “sensitive individuals.”
  • Follow your healthcare provider’s advice and your asthma action plan if you have one.
  • Think about evacuating if you have trouble breathing or other symptoms that do not get better.
  • Stay inside as much as possible. Keep windows and doors closed and turn on an HVAC system or use a portable air filtration unit.
  • If your area is experiencing extreme heat, contact your local health department to find public access air-conditioned centers or cooling centers in your area.
  • If you must go outdoors during a Wildfire Smoke event, wear an N95 respirator.
  • Children ages 2 years and older can wear respirators and masks. However, NIOSH Approved respirators do not come in suitable sizes for very young children.
  • Remember that dust masks, surgical masks, bandanas, and breathing through a wet cloth will not protect your child from smoke.

• After a wildfire:
  • Do not return home until you are told it is safe to do so.
  • Look out for any symptoms. Contact your healthcare provider if you have trouble breathing, shortness of breath, cough that won’t stop, or other symptoms that do not go away. Call 9-1-1 or go right away to an emergency department for medical emergencies.
  • Smoke can stay in the air days after wildfires have ended so continue to check local air quality.