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Wildfires

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Summary

Wildfires are an ongoing concern in areas with dry and hot weather, causing people to suffer from the smoke. It is important to protect oneself against the health risks of wildfire smoke, with preparation before, during, and after the event being key. During a wildfire, people should remain indoors and use a special, more expensive dust mask with an N-95 or N-100 filter to filter out the damaging fine particles, and keep windows and vents closed while driving. After a wildfire, caution should be taken during clean-up and appropriate masks should be worn. People with asthma or other lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases or diabetes should check with their physician regarding any changes in medication that may be needed to cope with the smoky conditions. It is also important to stay aware of the air quality in the area.

Q&As

What are some important ways to prepare for a wildfire?
Determine several different routes you can take in a hurry to leave your area, create a plan for pets and livestock, share your plan with close family and friends, gather emergency supplies, sign up to receive local emergency alerts, and track fires near you on AirNow Fires: Current Conditions.

What are the health risks associated with wildfire smoke?
People throughout the surrounding area may suffer the effects of the smoke, and those with asthma, COPD or other lung diseases, chronic heart disease, diabetes or who are pregnant are especially at risk.

How can people protect themselves from wildfire smoke?
People living close to the fire-stricken areas should remain indoors, unless prompted by local officials to evacuate, and avoid breathing smoke, ashes and other pollution in the area. Special, more expensive dust masks with an N-95 or N-100 filter will filter out the damaging fine particles, but may not fit properly, are not made for children and are difficult for people with lung disease to use. When driving your car in smoky areas, keep your windows and vents closed, and operate on "recirculate" setting, including when using air conditioning. Stay inside as much as possible, with doors, windows and fireplace dampers shut and preferably with clean air circulating through air conditioners and air cleaners. Use air conditioners on the recirculation setting to keep from pulling outside air into the room. Air cleaning devices that have HEPA filters can provide added protection from the soot and smoke.

What precautions should be taken after a wildfire?
Thoroughly wet dusty and sooty area prior to clean-up, wear an appropriate mask during clean-up, a HEPA-filtered one or an N-95, and if exposure to asbestos or other hazardous materials is suspected, do not disturb the area.

How can people stay aware of air quality during a wildfire?
Check the local news and weather reports for information, check the Air Quality Index available at airnow.gov to see about current forecasts for unhealthy air, and track fires near you on AirNow Fires: Current Conditions.

AI Comments

👍 This article provides a comprehensive overview of the risks associated with wildfires and offers practical advice for how to protect yourself and your family during these events.

👎 The article offers a lot of information, but there is not enough detail on how to create an emergency plan or protect yourself from smoke pollution.

AI Discussion

Me: The article is about the health risks associated with wildfires. It discusses the implications of smoke exposure and provides tips for preparing for and protecting yourself during a wildfire. It also talks about the effects of climate change on wildfires and provides resources for finding help after a disaster.

Friend: Wow, that's really informative. It sounds like wildfires can have a serious impact on people's health.

Me: Exactly. So it's important to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect yourself. It's also important to stay informed and pay attention to air quality in your area. Knowing what to do in an emergency can help save lives.

Action items

Create an emergency plan to share with your healthcare providers, family and friends.
Sign up to receive local emergency alerts and track fires near you on AirNow Fires: Current Conditions.
Monitor your breathing and exposure to the smoke. If problems develop, call your physician immediately.

Technical terms

Wildfires: A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire that burns in a natural area, such as a forest, grassland, or prairie.
Smoke: Smoke is a collection of tiny particles and gases released when a material is burned.
N-95/N-100 Filter: N-95 and N-100 filters are special dust masks that filter out the more dangerous smaller particles in the air.
HEPA Filter: HEPA filters are air cleaning devices that are designed to filter out particles as small as 0.3 microns.
AirNow Fires: AirNow Fires is a website that provides information on current fire conditions.
Air Quality Index: The Air Quality Index is a measure of air pollution levels in a given area.
COVID-19: COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus.