Wildfires are now an annual event in the western United States and Canada, but their impact can be extreme. What goes up must come down-and smoke from wildfires builds up quickly, covering wide areas and affecting air quality for days or weeks at a time.
The amount of smoke in the air is measured by air quality monitoring agencies using the Air Quality Index (AQI), which reports the type of pollutants in the air as well as how much of those pollutants are in the air. Since exposure to wildfire smoke can cause short-term respiratory symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing, many people exposed to wildfire smoke have been advised to stay indoors during fires or evacuate their homes if it becomes necessary.
The AQI is calculated by adding together each pollutant’s individual score on this scale:
- 0-50 = Good
- 51-100 = Moderate
- 101-150 = Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
- 151-200 = Unhealthy
- 201-300 = Very Unhealthy
- 301+= Hazardous
Extreme Impacts
The most severe wildfires occur during periods of high heat and low humidity (drought conditions). These conditions create ideal burning conditions for brush and trees alike–and with dry vegetation as fuel, fires spread quickly across large areas of land before firefighters have time to contain them.
The EPA has estimated that in the U.S., wildfire smoke causes an average of 4,000 deaths per year. Other studies have linked exposure to wildfire smoke with acute respiratory symptoms like coughing or wheezing.
A Breakdown of Pollutants
Smoke from wildfires contains many pollutants that pose serious threats to human health, including:
- carbon monoxide (CO)
- nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- sulfur dioxide (SO2)
- particulate matter (PM)
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be fatal in high enough concentrations. The levels of CO found in air during a wildfire are not usually high enough to cause immediate harm; however, they can still lead to long-term health effects like heart disease and cancer if they’re inhaled regularly over time.
Nitrogen oxides are a group of gases that contain nitrogen and oxygen; when they come into contact with flames or hot surfaces like burning wood or plastic containers used for cooking fuel fires, they create smog-like clouds containing tiny particles called PM 2.5–tiny enough for you to inhale them into your lungs when walking outside during a fire event!
How to Reduce Exposure to Smoke
If you live in an area affected by wildfire smoke, there are several steps you can take to reduce your exposure to it.
- Stay indoors: If possible, stay indoors with all doors and windows closed until the smoke passes. If this is not possible, use air conditioning or fans to circulate air throughout your home and avoid physical activity outside as much as possible.
- Upgrade windows and ensure they are properly sealed: Windows that don’t seal properly allow toxic gases from wildfires into homes; upgrading windows will help prevent this from happening.
Risks for Those with Asthma or Respiratory Conditions
People with asthma or respiratory conditions such as emphysema may have difficulty breathing when exposed to high levels of wildfire smoke. People with these conditions should avoid activities that increase their risk of exposure to wildfire smoke, such as exercising outside or working in an area where there is heavy smoke.
People with asthma should follow their doctor’s advice about how often they should use inhalers, and always carry them with them if possible.
Protective Gear for Outdoor Workers
If you are an outdoor worker who must work in smoky conditions, then it’s important to wear protective gear such as masks, goggles and gloves. You should also wear a hat and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
If possible, avoid strenuous activity during this time because it can make your heart beat faster than usual which could put extra strain on your body as well as increase the likelihood that you’ll get heat stroke or dehydration if working outside in extreme heat conditions.
It can be difficult to stay indoors when there are wildfires in your area, but if at all possible, keep windows and doors closed. If you have asthma or other respiratory conditions, talk with your doctor about what precautions may be appropriate for you. Finally, if smoke from wildfires begins affecting air quality where you live or work, consider taking action such as evacuating or taking breaks from outdoor activities whenever possible.