Wildfire Smoke: Protect Your Lungs

Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality

You do not need to be near a fire to be affected by it. Smoke from large wildfires travels hundreds or thousands of kilometres and can turn the air in a city unhealthy for days. The fine particles in smoke go deep into the lungs. Most healthy adults recover quickly, but children, older adults, pregnant women and people with heart or lung disease can become seriously ill.

1. Before the fire season

Know where to check air quality: your national environment agency, the European Air Quality Index, or AirNow in the United States.
Choose one room to keep clean: a bedroom with few windows and doors.
Consider a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter for that room.
Keep well-fitting FFP2 or N95 masks at home.
If you or a family member has asthma, COPD or heart disease, agree a plan with your doctor and keep extra medicine.

2. During a smoke episode

Check the air quality index and follow health advice from authorities.
Stay indoors with windows and doors closed. Set air conditioning or ventilation to recirculate if it has that option.
Use the clean room, and run the air cleaner there.
Do not add to indoor pollution: no candles, no frying, no smoking, no vacuuming without a HEPA filter.
Avoid exercise outdoors. Keep children's play indoors.
If you must go out, wear an FFP2 or N95 mask that fits tightly. Cloth and surgical masks do little against smoke.
In a car, keep windows closed and set the fan to recirculate.
Drink water. Watch for symptoms.