Prepare for Smoke this Wildfire Season

 (this notice is from the US EPA.)

Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke is impacting large portions of the U.S., including the Northern and Eastern United States. Use EPA’s AirNow Fire and Smoke Map to see the impact of smoke on your air quality. 

Protecting Yourself When Outside 

If you are in an area with poor air quality, it may be best to stay inside. If you go outside: 

• Avoid strenuous activity and try to reduce how much smoke you inhale. 

• Wear an N95 respirator mask. N95 respirator masks provide the best protection from wildfire smoke. Cloth masks will not help. 

• Only perform essential outdoor activities. Take frequent breaks indoors. 

Keeping Your Home’s Air Clean 

Make sure your indoor air is as clean as possible. 

Here's what you can do: 

• Consider purchasing a portable air cleaner — read these tips and avoid products that intentionally produce ozone. 

• Use a  do-it-yourself version if portable air cleaners are not an option. Watch a video to learn how to build a DIY air cleaner that can be used during wildfires and other emergencies. 

• Install a high-efficiency HVAC filter with a MERV-13 rating if your system can accommodate it. You may need to consult with an HVAC technician for guidance. 

• Adjust your HVAC system or air conditioner to keep smoke out. 

• Don’t create more indoor air pollution by doing things like smoking, vacuuming, frying or broiling meat, or burning candles or wood. 

• Consider creating a clean room in your home to keep levels of smoke and other particles as low as possible during smoke events. 

Learn more about ways you can protect your family from wildfire smoke. 

Here is a link to a DIY Air Cleaner Tutorial video

During a wildfire, smoke can make the outdoor air unhealthy to breathe. Local officials may advise you to stay indoors when these events happen. You should be aware that some of the smoke from outdoors can enter your home and make the air indoors unhealthy to breathe. Being prepared to reduce wildfire smoke exposure indoors is important, especially for those who are at greatest risk of health impacts, including children, older adults, and people with heart or lung disease. Below are several steps you can take now to protect your family from wildfire smoke: 

M - Minimize exposure

Consider purchasing a portable air cleaner or high-efficiency HVAC filter to filter particles from smoke out of the air.

• If you decide to purchase a portable air cleaner, choose one that is sized for the room in which you will use it. Make sure the portable air cleaner does not produce ozone.

• If you decide to purchase a high-efficiency HVAC filter, choose one with a MERV 13 rating, or as high a rating as your system fan and filter slot can accommodate. You may need to consult a professional HVAC technician to determine the highest efficiency filter that will work best for your system.

  
  

O - Optimize your system

Know how to adjust your HVAC system or air conditioner to keep smoke out

Get to know your HVAC system or air conditioner, if you have one, so you can adjust it to help keep smoke out of your home. Visit EPA's Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality webpage to learn what to do if you have any of the following:

• Central HVAC system

• Evaporative cooler 

• Window air conditioner

• Portable air conditioner 

  
  

K - Keep supplies on hand

Gather emergency supplies, including extra air filters and N95 respirators. You can often purchase N95 respirators in hardware stores or pharmacies. The Protect Your Lungs from Wildfire Smoke or Ash fact sheet and this infographic will help you choose the correct mask and wear it effectively.

E - Establish a clean room

A clean room is set up to keep levels of smoke and other particles as low as possible during wildfire smoke events. It should be free from activities that create particles, such as cooking or smoking, and the doors and windows should be kept closed to prevent smoke from getting inside. A clean room can also contain a portable air cleaner that makes the air in the room cleaner than the rest of the home.

The How to Create a Clean Room at Home fact sheet provides more information about setting up a clean room.  

Learn more about what to do before, during and after a wildfire smoke event to ensure your family is protected from exposure to smoke and ash indoors.

S - Stay informed

M - Minimize exposure

O - Optimize your system

K - Keep supplies on hand

E - Establish a clean room

• If you cannot get a portable air cleaner with a known clean air delivery rate (CADR), you may choose to use a do-it-yourself (DIY) air cleaner. Learn how to build a DIY air cleaner that can be used during wildfires and other emergencies.
  

Have at least a 5-day supply of food and medication on hand. Buy groceries that do not need to be refrigerated or cooked because cooking can add to indoor air pollution.

Talk to your health care provider about what to do if you have heart or lung disease. If you have asthma, make sure you have an asthma action plan.

Additional resources

• EPA Resources about Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality

• EPA's Smoke-Ready Toolbox for Wildfires

• EPA’s page on Wildfires

• EPA's Wildland Fires and Smoke

• Federal Partner Resources on Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality

Learn more about

• Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality

• Emergencies and Indoor Air Quality

• Indoor Air Quality