Take these steps to protect your health on smoky days:
- Check the air quality forecast. Air quality conditions may change quickly. Go to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District website for air quality information.
- Stay indoors when possible.
- Keep indoor air clean.
- If your health condition gets worse (e.g., asthma), contact your health care provider.
- Prepare for wildfire smoke season today. Review the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Smoke-Ready Toolbox.
For the General Public:
Please be aware that with shifting winds and poor wildfire containment air quality can change drastically in a short period of time.
Smoke from wildfires can affect health. The most common symptoms are eye and throat irritation, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Those with health problems, especially heart or respiratory conditions, should take extra caution. Follow these precautions to protect your health:
- Minimize outdoor activities.
- Stay indoors with windows and doors closed as much as possible.
- Do not run fans that bring smoky outdoor air inside.
- Run your air-conditioner only if it does not bring smoke in from the outdoors.
- Consider leaving the area until smoke conditions improve if you experience symptoms related to smoke exposure.
For Outdoor Workers:
- Limit exertion;
- Take frequent breaks;
- Consult with your employer if you have specific concerns.
When to Seek Medical Attention:
Contact your health care provider if you experience the following symptoms that do not improve after moving indoors or into a safe air quality environment:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness or pain
- Palpitations
- Nausea or unusual fatigue
- Lightheadedness and/or feeling faint
As always, if you or someone you know is experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Follow @MarinHHS on Twitter for health department updates.
For information about the wildfires, go to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (CALFIRE) webpage, www.calfire.ca.gov.
For more information about air quality, go to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District webpage, www.baaqmd.gov.