Wildfires are common in Los Angeles County and can harm communities near and far. Smoke from wildfires can drift hundreds of miles and some people, like those living in urban areas, are more likely to experience poor health on smoky days. There are many steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from smoke.
Know what to do during wildfire season: Be Smoke Ready - Reduce Your Smoke Exposure
You can be exposed to and breathe in smoke without even seeing or smelling it. Smoke contains very small particles and chemicals that are harmful to everyone, but especially people with heart and lung conditions, the elderly, and children.
How can wildfire smoke affect my health?
Exposure to smoke can result in immediate health impacts for anyone. Health impacts can range in severity from irritation to your eyes, nose, and throat to more severe issues like asthma attacks and chest pain. It can even lead to premature death.
Difficulty breathing
Wheezing
Coughing
Scratchy throat
Asthma attacks
Dizziness
Headaches
Burning or irritated eyes
Runny nose
Chest pain
Irregular heartbeat
inflammation
Tips to Stay Safe on Smoky Days
How can I protect myself and my family?
Reduce your smoke exposure. Limit how much smoke you inhale.
Keep windows and doors closed
whenever there is smoke outside.
When air quality improves, even temporarily, air out your home
by opening windows and doors to reduce indoor air pollution. Check the weather or
Air Quality Maps.
Smoke levels can change a lot during the day.
Set your AC to "recirculate" and run it
to prevent outdoor smoke from getting indoors.
Close any vents that pull air from the outside into your home, so turn off fresh air intake settings.
Create a "clean room" in your home.
Choose a room with few windows and doors. Place a portable air cleaner in this room and avoid activities in this room that worsen indoor air like smoking.
When cleaning use a damp mop and dust with a damp cloth
or use a vacuum with a HEPA filter instead of sweeping with a broom.
Reduce smoke in your car
by closing the windows and vents. Turn on the air conditioning and set it to "recirculate" to keep outdoor smoke from getting into the car.
If you are outdoors on a smoky day, cover your nose and mouth
with a tight-fitting
N95 Mask,
which you can buy at hardware stores. Keep your time outside as short as possible.
Plan trips outside during the least smoky times of day.
Check the weather or
Air Quality Maps.
Talk with your healthcare provider
to prepare for wildfire season
Who is most sensitive to wildfire smoke?
During a wildfire certain people might experience health symptoms earlier and at lower smoke levels. People with heart or lung disease (including asthma), the elderly, children, pregnant women, and people who do outdoor work should take extra precautions as they may be more likely to experience poor health if they breathe in smoke.
Children are especially at risk
for health effects from exposure to wildfire smoke and ash, mostly because their lungs are still growing.
Keep children indoors
with the doors and windows closed. Make plans for indoor activities for kids on smoky days.
Children with asthma, allergies, or chronic health issues may have more trouble breathing
when smoke or ash is present.
Talk to your child's doctor about wildfire season
and stock up on medication.
Climate change is causing more frequent and severe wildfires. Drought and frequent heatwaves dry out plants and dirt and create fuel for fires. During a fire, smoke can travel hundreds of miles. In LA County, wildfire smoke in urban areas can significantly worsen air quality.
To learn more about wildfires and climate health, visit our
Climate Health page.
Mental Health Resources
Wildfire events can be stressful. Take time to care for yourself and stay connected with friends and family. View the resources below to help cope with wildfires.
Call the LA County Mental Health Hotline at
(800) 854-7771
or text the Crisis Text Line ("LA" to 741741)
