Wildfire Smoke

• People who have asthma or a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), such as emphysema
• People who have heart disease or high blood pressure
• Pregnant women and young children
• Older adults

People with asthma should follow their asthma plans, and those with chronic lung or heart disease should continue to take their medications.

Pregnant women, older adults and young children should avoid exposure to outside air whenever possible. Use of a mask is not an effective substitute for staying inside.

Consult your healthcare provider if you have concerns during a period of unhealthy air quality.

Before fire season:

• To limit shopping trips, keep food on hand to last several days
• Keep at least a five-day supply of necessary medications on hand
• Install high-efficiency air filters (MERV 13 or higher) for your home's central air conditioning
• Consider a portable home air cleaner, but not one that generates ozone – view a list of products that emit little or no ozone
• If you choose to use masks, pick a NIOSH-certified N-95 or N-100 respirator-style mask

The best way to stay safe on days with unhealthy air quality is to stay inside – keeping doors and windows closed reduces exposure to smoke by 50% or more.

• Keep windows and doors closed
• Keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean on the air conditioner to prevent smoke from getting inside
• Use room air cleaners if you have them. Humidifiers won't clean the air
• Don't smoke or burn anything in the house
• Avoid using stoves or furnaces
• Don't use aerosol sprays or your vacuum, unless it has a HEPA filter

If you cannot stay inside when the air is unhealthy, reduce your health risk by:

• Not smoking
• Avoiding strenuous exercise or work
• Keep car windows and vents closed and operate air conditioning in "re-circulate" mode
• Wear an N-95 or N-100 mask that fits properly
• Other masks, such as bandanas or surgical masks, offer no protection
• Plan your outdoor time for when there is relatively better air quality

A NIOSH-certified N-95 or N-100 respirator-style mask should only be used as a last resort, and never as a substitute for staying in an indoor space with filtered air.

• Masking may not fully protect from wildfire smoke particles
• Bandanas and surgical, cloth or paper masks do not protect against wildfire smoke particles at all
• Reused masks generally do not provide protection
• Masks, even when worn properly, can become uncomfortable and hot
• N-95 and N-100 respirators may be dangerous for certain people with lung or heart conditions
• Certified N-95 and N-100 respirators are not recommended for children, and may be dangerous for young children if they do not fit properly and impede breathing

Follow the instructions on your mask's packaging. View some general advice on our respirator fact sheet.

Is breathing smoky air really bad for you?

Unhealthy air can make anyone feel sick.

Healthy people who are exposed to smoky air for a few days to a few weeks are unlikely to experience long-term health impacts.

For some people, exposure to unhealthy air that lasts hours to days can have serious health effects, including those with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions such as asthma, lung or heart disease, young children, pregnant women and older adults.

Is it safe to eat food that's been exposed to smoky air?

The health concern about smoke is the tiny particles it contains, which can be inhaled into the lungs. These particles can settle on the surface of food but are unlikely to penetrate it. So, food such as produce would be safe to eat if washed thoroughly. Liquids and food that cannot be washed with clean water should be discarded.

Will smoky air hurt my pets?

Exposure to smoky air can affect animals the same way it affects people. Consider keeping your dogs and cats inside during days with poor air quality. (It's OK to let the dog out to do its business, but probably not for a long walk.)

Should my school/work/business/building close due to poor air quality?

CCHS can provide health advice, but the decision to close or take other protective measures belongs to those in charge of the space.

What mask should I wear if I must go out?

CCH only recommends using a mask as a last resort. Stay inside if possible. If you choose to mask, only NIOSH-certified N-95 or N-100 masks provide protection. They will have "NIOSH" and "N-95" or "N-100" printed on them.

Are masks safe for people with heart or lung conditions?

People with chronic respiratory, cardiac or other medical conditions that can make breathing difficult should consult their healthcare provider before using a mask.

Will any masks fit my child?

N-95 and N-100 masks are not currently made in child sizes.

Do other masks besides N-95 or N-100 masks offer any protection?

For wildfire smoke, they really do not. N-95 and N-100 masks form a tight seal around the mouth and nose and filter out the tiny particles in smoke that irritate our airways and lungs. Other masks do not do that.

What kind of filters do I need for my home furnace to keep the air clean?

Install high-efficiency air filters (MERV 13 or higher) for your home's central air conditioning.

What do I do if my home doesn't have air conditioning, or if the doors or windows don't keep out the smoke?

Consider visiting an enclosed public space with recirculated air, such as a shopping mall or library.

What should people experiencing homelessness do?

Call 211 to connect with a CORE outreach team. Contra Costa  County has shelters, CARE centers and warming centers where people experiencing homelessness can get out of the bad air.

Links

• Visit the baaqmd.gov or the sparetheair.org for information about air quality
• Visit airnow.gov for current air quality in your zip code
• Wildfire Health Tips from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
• Wildfire Smoke Factsheet (EPA)