Wildfire Smoke

Smoke from fires can be dangerous for everyone. Fortunately, there are steps you can take both before and during smoky days to protect your health.

Health Risks of Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire smoke contains small particles that cause problems for your lungs, heart, sinuses and other parts of your body. Some people are more sensitive to the effects of smoke. Sensitive groups include:

  • People with health conditions such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, or other heart and lung diseases, or people who have had a stroke.
  • Children under 18.
  • Adults over 65.
  • Pregnant people.
  • People who smoke.
  • People with colds or other respiratory illnesses.

When it is smoky, you might have itchy or burning eyes, sore throat, difficulty breathing, sinus congestion, headaches, coughing, or chest pain. If your symptoms are serious, get medical help right away.

Be Prepared

Do not wait until there is smoke in the air. Prepare ahead of time for wildfire smoke.

Preparedness for Employers

New wildfire smoke rules, effective January 15, 2024 are now in place to protect the health of workers who are exposed to the small particles contained in wildfire smoke. In general, these rules apply to all general industry and agricultural activities where personnel are working outdoors and are reasonably expected to be exposed to wildfire smoke. Please see below for further information on requirements for identification of harmful exposure, hazard communication, information and training, exposure response and controls, and respiratory protection.

Training and Plan templates produced by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries can be found here. Additionally, the University of Washington has created a toolkit for their workforce, which may be helpful as an example of information sharing and planning.

Protect Yourself When it is Smoky Outside

On smoky days, you can take these steps to stay healthy:

  • Check air quality conditions. Air quality may change quickly. Get the latest from Northwest Clean Air Agency's website or follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for the current report for Whatcom County.
  • Stay indoors as much as possible when the air quality is at unhealthy levels. Do not exercise, play, or do chores outdoors when the air quality is poor.
  • Keep indoor air clean.
    • Close windows and doors as much as possible.
    • Use an air cleaner with a HEPA filter, if possible.
    • Use fans or an air conditioner (AC) when it is smoky and hot. Set your AC> to recirculate.
    • If you do not have AC and it is too hot indoors, go to a place with AC like a mall, the library, or a movie theater. If you are not able to leave and it is too hot, it is better to open the windows for a short time to cool the indoor space than to overheat. Visit our Hot Weather Safety page for more hot weather safety tips.
    • A DIY air cleaner may be an easy and cost-effective way to clean air inside your home. Information on how to construct a portable air cleaner and important safety tips to follow while using one of these fans can be found at Puget Sound Clean Air Agency's DIY Air Filter website.
    • Do not pollute the indoor air. Do not smoke, use candles, or vacuum. Avoid frying and broiling when cooking indoors.
  • If your health condition gets worse around smoke, contact your healthcare provider. Call 911 if you or someone else has serious symptoms, like trouble breathing.

Behavioral Health Considerations 

Long periods of wildfire smoke can impact mental and behavioral health. Wildfire smoke impacts our daily routine, including the time we spend outside and the activities we can do. There may be feelings of isolation from staying inside or sadness from the lack of sunshine. Wildfire smoke is also a direct threat to health and safety. It is crucial to protect our mental and physical health during a wildfire smoke episode. 

  • Social connection is key. Identify someone you can ask for help and one person who may need your help. Check in with loved ones throughout a wildfire smoke episode. 
  • Spend time with loved ones in areas of the home that have cleaner air or go to a public space with cleaner air together. 
  • Build DIY box fan filters with others. 
  • Get some light exercise indoors. 
  • Spend time with your pets and play games indoors to get them some exercise.
  • Follow other tips to take care of your emotional health: 
    • Eating healthy and staying hydrated. 
    • Getting enough sleep. 
    • Watching movies that evoke laughter and/or emotion. 
    • Creating something: writing, music, art, etc. 
    • Getting a massage and/or acupuncture. 
    • Consider eating dark chocolate and spicy foods, these increase endorphins. Endorphin, a hormone in your brain, helps you lower stress and improve your sense of happiness.

Masks & Wildfire Smoke

The right mask with the proper fit can reduce your exposure to wildfire smoke, but they do not work for everyone. Only use a mask after first trying other more effective ways to avoid smoke, like staying indoors and reducing outdoor activity.

Some masks offer limited protection.

  • Respirator masks labeled N95 or N100 that are NIOSH-approved can filter out fine particles from wildfire smoke but not hazardous gases in smoke (like carbon monoxide).
  • KN95 masks or other masks approved in other countries may not provide the same protection as NIOSH-approved masks. 
  • Cloth masks and surgical masks will not filter out the harmful particles in wildfire smoke.

Wearing a mask may worsen existing medical conditions.

  • Wearing a mask may make it harder to breathe because it can require extra effort to move air through the mask.
  • If you have breathing problems like asthma or COPD or heart disease, check with your healthcare provider before using any mask.

Masks must fit tightly.

  • There are several varieties of N95 masks. Each kind has a slightly different fit. If you choose to wear a mask, choose one that fits you securely and comfortably.
  • Straps must go above and below the ears and the mask should fit over the nose and under the chin.
  • The mask should not let air in from the sides around the nose and chin.
  • Masks will have limited effect for people with beards or young children because they do not fit snugly on their faces.

Learn more about Masks to Protect Children and Pregnant People from Wildfire Smoke (PDF).

Building Resilience Against Smoke and Heat StoryMap

Climate change is a public health emergency affecting community livability and quality of life. Wildfire smoke and extreme heat events have increased in recent years, posing various problems for Whatcom County residents’ health and well-being. These events are especially harmful to our most at-risk groups, including outdoor workers, older adults, and those with preexisting heart and lung conditions.

We created the Building Resilience Against Smoke and Heat (BRASH) project to:

  • Better understand which communities are most at risk from wildfire smoke and extreme heat.
  • Develop climate- and equity-informed responses. 

The BRASH StoryMap includes interactive maps, lived experiences, and strategies for reducing health risks. The Washington State Department of Health funded this project.

Additional Resources