Wildfire smoke preparedness
Create a clean air room on smoky days using an easy DIY box fan filter.
Blog post: How to keep indoor air clean on smoky days
Protect your health on smoky days:
Air quality conditions may change quickly. Go to Fire.AirNow.gov for the current smoke conditions in King County. Find a 5-day smoke forecast at wasmoke.blogspot.com. Pay attention to local news for air quality alerts and health warnings in your area.
You can sign up to receive emergency alerts by phone or email at kingcounty.gov/alert.
Move indoors if you can, and keep the air inside air clean. You can visit a library, community center, mall, or check WA211 for a list of cooling centers.
If you can’t move indoors, an N95 mask offers good protection from wildfire smoke for most people.Limit exercise and vigorous physical activity outdoors when smoke levels are “unhealthy for sensitive groups” or worse (101+ AQI). This includes physical labor, running, biking, and sports.
Schools, sports teams, and other organizations serving children should move indoors when smoke levels are “unhealthy for sensitive groups” or worse (101+ AQI). More information: Air Pollution and School Activity Guide.
- Close windows and doors as much as possible. If it becomes too hot, open the windows to cool down the space, or move to a mall, library, or other air-conditioned building.
- 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.
- Use an air cleaner with a HEPA filter if possible. More information: EPA's Indoor Air Filtration Factsheet (PDF)
- A DIY air filter fan may be an easy and cost-effective way to clean air inside your home. Learn how to make a quick air filter with a box fan, a MERV-13 filter and duct tape: Public Health Crafter's Corner: 1-minute DIY Filter Fan, Public Health Insider
- Make a "clean air room" in your home: Learn how to keep indoor air clean on smoky days, Public Health Insider.
- Don't smoke, use candles, or vacuum – these activities pollute indoor air. 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.
Prepare for wildfire smoke season:
- Wildfire smoke preparedness during COVID-19 pandemic
- Plan how you will keep indoor air clear on smoky days. Learn how to make a “clean air room” in your home so that you have place to get away from the smoke, even if you need to occasionally open your windows: How to keep indoor air clean on smoky days, Public Health Insider
- 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)
- Make an air filter fan. Learn how on Puget Sound Clean Air Agency's DIY Air Filter website or this quick version with a box fan, a MERV-13 filter, and duct tape: Public Health Crafter's Corner: 1-minute DIY Filter Fan, Public Health Insider
- 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 and KN95 masks offer good protection. If you have a pre-existing condition that might make you more sensitive to smoke, consult your medical provider.
One page flyer:
Stay safe from smoke
Key resources
| Public Health Wildfire Smoke Response |
| Health and wildfire smoke WA State Dept. of Health |
| Air quality monitoring Puget Sound Clean Air Agency |
| Air Now Environmental Protection Agency |
| Wildfire Smoke Blog |
| A video on how to properly wear an N-95 mask |
| Wildfire smoke preparedness during COVID-19 |