Wildfire Smoke and Ash Health Safety Tips

Wildfires can often cause very high air pollution levels that are harmful to your health. Protect your health by taking steps Before, During, and After a wildfire to reduce how much pollution you are breathing.

Before a Wildfire Smoke Event – Be Prepared

Get ready for wildfire smoke events by planning ahead! Here’s what you can do to prepare:

• Information: Get air quality alerts, current air quality conditions, and forecasts by downloading the South Coast AQMD mobile app and signing up for advisories at AirAlerts.org;

• Filters and Air Cleaners: If you have an air conditioning system, change your filter regularly, and keep a high-efficiency filter on hand. Filters labeled “MERV13” or higher are most effective for removing smoke particles. Having a portable HEPA air cleaner available will also help to create a room with filtered air. See https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/air-cleaners-and-air-filters-home for additional guidance on home air filtration.

• Respirator masks: Keep a few disposable respirators (i.e. N-95 or P-100 respirators) on hand, in case you need to be outside in smoky conditions.

• Medical plan: If you or your family member has a heart or lung disease (such as asthma), consult your doctor to have a plan in case the smoke worsens the symptoms. Have an adequate supply of medications on hand (5 days or more).

• Generator Safety: If you plan to use a generator during a public safety power shutoff, never use it inside your house. Generators produce toxic carbon monoxide gas that can kill you. Only use your generator when it is outdoors and at least 20 feet away from your home. Ensure that you have working carbon monoxide detectors near every sleeping area in your home.

During a Wildfire - Protect Yourself

Wildfire smoke can cause unhealthy air quality in areas many miles away from the fire. Smoke conditions change quickly, so check your air quality using the South Coast AQMD app or on our interactive map. Older adults, young children, pregnant women, and people with heart diseases or lung diseases (such as asthma) may be especially sensitive to health risks from wildfire smoke.

If you smell smoke or see ash due to a wildfire, here are ways to limit your exposure:

• Remain indoors with windows and doors closed or seek alternate shelter.

• Avoid vigorous physical activity

• Run your air conditioner if you have one and make sure it has a clean filter. Close the fresh air intake if your air conditioner has the option so that it is recirculating the indoor air to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. A higher efficiency filter (i.e. higher MERV rating) will filter out more smoke particles than a low efficiency one.

• Create a space in your home with filtered air, by using a portable high-efficiency or HEPA air cleaner while keeping doors and windows closed. This can be a room where you spend a lot of time, such as a bedroom. More information about air filters and air cleaners can be found here: Fact Sheet on Indoor Air Filtration.

• Avoid using a whole-house fan or a swamp cooler with an outside air intake.

• Avoid using indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces. Avoid combustion sources inside the home such as candles and incense that could further degrade indoor air quality.

• If you must be outdoors in smoky conditions, keep it brief, and use a disposable respirator (N-95 or P-100). These respirators can offer some protection from smoke particles if they are worn properly and have a tight fit. Do not rely on surgical masks or cloth masks for protection. Information about using respirators to protect from wildfire smoke or ash can be found here: Fact Sheet on Respirators (PDF)

After a Wildfire - Safe Clean-up

Take precautions when cleaning up ash from wildfires. Ash particles are usually bigger than smoke particles, but can still cause health problems. People with heart or lung diseases, older adults, children, and pregnant women should use special caution around ash.

When cleaning up ash:

• Wear a tight-fitting disposable respirator  (such as a N-95 or P-100 respirator mask) to protect your lungs.

• Wear goggles, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks to avoid skin contact.

• Mist lightly with water and then sweep gently with a broom or wet mop. Direct ash-filled water to ground areas and away from the storm drains. Don't use leaf blowers!

• Collect ash into a plastic bag and dispose in the regular trash.

• Inside your home, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or, if possible, similar industrial ones with disposable collection filter bags. Sweeping gently with a broom is another option.

• Take your car to the car wash.

• Wash off toys.

• Clean ash of pets.

Additional Resources

For everyone:

• Get air quality alerts, current air quality conditions, and forecasts by downloading the South Coast AQMD mobile app or visiting the interactive map;

• Get air quality advisories on the South Coast AQMD Advisory webpage or by email by subscribing at AirAlerts.org

• Wildfires and Health (PDF) fact sheet;

• California Dept. of Public Health: Safe Cleanup of Ash 

• California Dept. of Public Health DEODC Emergency Preparedness - factsheet: "Reduce Exposure to Ash When Returning Home After a Fire" (PDF) 

• Santa Barbara County: Safe Ash Clean-Up During and After a Wildfire 

• See additional relevant Social Media feeds and Tips from Other Agencies

For schools:

• Air Quality Guidance for Schools (PDF)

For emergency generator operators:

• Emergency Generators Wildfires Compliance Advisory (11-12-19) (PDF)