Wildfire smoke
Basic health messages
Take these steps to protect your health on smoky days:
Air quality conditions may change quickly. Go to Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s website or follow them on Twitter for the current smoke level report for King County.
- 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's hot, if possible. Set your AC to recirculate.
- If you aren't able to leave and it's too hot, it's better to open the windows for a short time to cool the indoor space than to overheat.
- 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.
- Don't pollute the indoor air. Don't smoke, use candles, or vacuum. Avoid frying and broiling when cooking indoors.
Call 9-1-1 if you or someone else has serious symptoms, like trouble breathing. You can also send a text to 9-1-1 if you are Deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired, and anyone who might be unsafe if they were to be heard by an intruder or abusive partner. Learn more about text-to-911.
- Smoke from fires can be dangerous for everyone
- Arabic: دخان الحرائق قد يكون خطرًا على الجميع
- Chinese: 火災煙霧對任何人
- Korean: 화재 연기 모두에게 위험
- Punjabi: ਅੱਗ ਤੋਂ ਸਨੱਕਸਲਆ ਧ ੂੰਆਾਂ ਹਰ ਸਕਸੇ ਲਈ ਖ਼ਤਰਨਾਕ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ
- Russian: Дым от пожаров может представлять опасность для всех
- Somali: Qiiqa kayimaada dababka halis wayn ayuu kunoqon karaa qofkasta
- Spanish: El humo de los incendios puede ser peligroso para todos
- Tagalog: Ang usok mula sa sunog ay maaaring maging mapanganib para sa lahat
- Ukrainian: Дим від пожеж може бути небезпечним для будь-кого
- Vietnamese: Khói từ các đám cháy có thể rất nguy hiểm với tất cả mọi người
Prepare for wildfire smoke season:
- Indoor air quality is important
- Wildfire smoke preparedness during COVID-19 pandemic
- Consider getting an air purifier. Air purifiers with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter will reduce the number of irritating fine particles in indoor air. A HEPA filter with charcoal will help remove some of the gases from the smoke. Do not use an air purifier that produces ozone. More information: EPA's Indoor Air Filtration Factsheet (PDF)
- If you have asthma or another respiratory condition, make sure you have an inhaler or other medications that you might need. Make an asthma management plan with your healthcare provider.
- Make plans for indoor activities for kids on smoky days. Consider what your children can do if they need to stay indoors when smoke levels are "unhealthy for sensitive groups" or worse.
- Schools, camps, sports teams, and daycare providers should make plans for smoky days. Plan to postpone outdoor activities or move them indoors when smoke levels are "unhealthy for sensitive groups" or worse. Air Pollution and School Activity Guide.
Masks and wildfire smoke:
The right mask and proper fit can reduce your exposure to wildfire smoke, but they don’t work for everyone. This info is also available in PDF format.
Face coverings protect against COVID-19 but cloth masks don't provide much protection from wildfire smoke. N95 respirators can provide protection if worn properly, but need to be saved for health care and front-line workers while supplies are limited and we are fighting COVID-19. If you have a pre-existing condition that might make you more sensitive to smoke, consult your medical provider.
Other resources
- Get Ready for Wildfire Season, Public Health Insider blog
- Health and wildfire smoke, WA State Dept. of Health
- Air quality monitoring, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
- Air Now, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Wildfire Smoke Blog
Link/share our site at www.kingcounty.gov/wildfiresmoke