Do frequent check-ins on your health as well as those around you, especially those who may be vulnerable to smoke. Seek medical treatment if symptoms worsen. 

The best way to protect your health is to reduce your exposure to wildfire smoke.

• If smoke or poor air quality is affecting your breathing or health status move to an indoor and less smoky area. Seek medical attention when necessary.
• Evaluate if it is possible to re-locate to an area with cleaner air.

Reduce indoor air pollution by avoiding:

• Smoking indoors.
• Vacuuming unless your vacuum is equipped with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
• Burning candles and incense.
• Frying or smoking foods.
• Using wood stoves.
• Using cleaning products that can emit high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Prevent outdoor air from getting inside by:

• Ensure all windows are sealed and closed.
• Install a high-quality air filter to help remove particles from coming indoors.
• If you have an HVAC system, use the highest rated MERV filter (rated 13 or higher) and set the fan to recirculation mode.
• Limit the use of exhaust fans, when not cooking.

Other strategies include:

• Keep your home or vehicle cool by using a fan or air conditioning. Do not sit in a vehicle in a garage or enclosed space.
• Use a portable air purifier.
• Use a portable High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) air cleaner.
• Install a carbon monoxide alarm in the home.
• Use air conditioning and a dehumidifier and maintain humidity levels between 35-50% when possible.
• Ensure your well water is safe. Test your well water after an emergency and contact your local public health unit for more information.

If you must spend time outdoors during air quality events caused by wildfires and smoke, consider wearing a well-fitted respirator type mask, such as a NIOSH certified N95 or equivalent respirator.  The mask should fit so that air does not pass through small openings between the mask and your face.  Surgical or cloth masks are not as effective against wildfire smoke as a well-fitted respirator type mask.

Your need for a mask can be assessed based on the severity of observed air quality, your personal health, the amount of time you spend outdoors, and how you are feeling.  

Respirator style masks can help reduce your exposure to the fine particles in smoke, which pose the greatest risk to health. However, respirators do not reduce exposure to the gases in wildfire smoke. It is important to listen to your body and reduce or stop activities if you are experiencing symptoms.

How to use a respiratory-type mask:

• Wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• With clean hands, place the mask over the nose and under the chin, with one strap placed below the ears and one strap above.
• Adjust the mask so that air cannot get through at the edges. If air leaks around the edges of the mask, unfiltered air can enter.
• Pinch the metal part of the mask tightly over the top of the nose.
• Masks do not work for people with beards because they will not seal. Clean shaven skin will result in a better fitting and more effective mask.
• Throw away masks when they become dirty, damaged, or difficult to breathe through.  
• It is harder to breathe through a mask. For vulnerable persons or those with respiratory concerns, take breaks often and refrain from physical activity while wearing a respirator-type mask.
• If you feel dizzy or sick go to a less smoky area, take off your mask, and seek medical help if you do not feel better.

• Respirators should not be used by:
  
  
• Children under 2 years of age
• Individuals who have trouble breathing while wearing the respirator
• Individuals who have difficulty removing the respirator

Take care of your mental health during a wildfire smoke event. Extreme weather events can cause feelings of anxiousness, stress, worry and panic, sadness, or isolation. It is important to take care of your mental health and well-being during these times as well as to check in on others who may also be experiencing these feelings.

Make sure to take care of your mental health and well-being during this time by staying well hydrated, eating well, getting enough sleep, staying active indoors, staying positive and staying connected with others.

Anyone who is having trouble coping during this time should seek help from a health care professional. Visit our mental wellness page for more information and resources available to you. Remember we are all in this together!