Wildfires

Wildfires often begin unnoticed. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees and homes. Reduce your risk by preparing now – before wildfire strikes.

If you are located in a region that is prone to Wildfires, get prepared before a wildfire threatens.

Protect Yourself: Health Precautions

Instructions for Those Most Adversely Affected by Smoke Inhalation

Young children, the elderly and those with lung or heart ailments are especially vulnerable in smoky conditions and should follow these guidelines:

• Individuals with lung or heart disease should make sure that they are on their medication and have at least a five-day supply on hand.
• Individuals with asthma should consult their physician about an asthma management plan and stick to it during the unusually smoky conditions.

How to Tell if Smoke is Affecting You. Smoke can cause:

• Coughing.
• Scratchy throat.
• Irritated sinuses.
• Shortness of breath.
• Chest pain.
• Headaches.
• Stinging eyes.
• Runny nose.

If You Have Heart Disease, Lung Disease or a Pre-Existing Respiratory Condition, Smoke Might Make Your Symptoms Worse

People who have heart disease might experience:

• Inability to breathe normally.
• Cough with or without mucus.
• Chest discomfort.
• Wheezing and shortness of breath.

Even healthy people may experience some of these symptoms in smoky conditions.

Protect Yourself

Following are ways to protect your health:

• Pay attention to local air quality reports. Listen and watch for news or health warnings about smoke.
• If you are advised to stay indoors, keep indoor air as clean as possible. Keep windows and doors closed unless it is extremely hot outside. Run an air conditioner if you have one, but keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside. If you do not have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed, seek shelter elsewhere.
• Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to reduce breathing problems. Room air purifiers, which utilize a HEPA filter, may reduce the number of irritating fine particles in indoor air.
• Do not add to indoor pollution. When smoke levels are high, do not use anything that burns, such as candles, fireplaces or gas stoves. Do not vacuum because it stirs up particles already inside your home. Do not smoke because smoking puts even more pollution into the air.

Source: California Department of Public Health

 Secondhand Smoke
 Wood Burning
 Wildfire
 Test Results