County of Marin Health and Human Services

Wildfire Air Quality

 4 Ways to Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke

                                               

Download the "4 Ways to Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke" flyer in English & Spanish.       

Follow your healthcare provider's advice about medicines and respiratory management if you have asthma or another lung disease. Call your health care provider if your symptoms worsen. 

Find out if their is a Spare the Air Alert. On days when a Spare the Air Alert has been issued for ozone, residents should consider limiting outdoor activities. On days when a Spare the Air Alert is in effect due to high levels of fine particle pollution, it is illegal to burn wood, fire logs, pellets, or other solid fuels in fireplaces, wood stoves, outdoor fire pits, and other wood-burning devices.

Prepare for wildfire season today.  Review the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Smoke-Ready Toolbox.

Page last reviewed: September 5, 2024

For the General Public

Información en Español

Background: 

Wildfires lead to high volumes of smoke and unhealthy air quality. Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles from burning trees, plants, buildings, and other materials, and can affect people far from the fire source. Those at especially high risk include people with asthma, COPD, cardiovascular disease, young children, older adults, and pregnant individuals. 

Symptoms of Smoke Exposure: 

Common symptoms include eye and throat irritation, coughing, and difficulty breathing. People with heart or respiratory conditions should take extra caution. 

Precautions to Protect Your Health: 

  • Minimize outdoor activities. 
  • Stay indoors with windows and doors closed. 
  • Use portable HEPA air filters to help clean indoor air.  
  • Run your AC on “recirculate mode” with a new filter. 
  • Avoid activities like vacuuming, frying food, or using gas-powered appliances 
  • If your health is being affected, consider leaving the area until smoke conditions improve. 

For Outdoor Workers: 

  • Wear a well fitted N-95 type mask while outdoors. 
  • Limit exertion. 
  • Take frequent breaks. 
  • Consult with your employer if you have specific concerns. 

When to Seek Medical Attention:  

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience 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 or feeling faint 

As always, if you or someone you know is experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1. 

For Health Care Providers:                                                                                                                                                                                     

Healthcare professionals should be alert to the possible adverse effects of smoke exposure, especially among high-risk individuals. Acute signs and symptoms include headache, eye and mucous membrane irritation, dyspnea, cough, wheezing, chest pain, palpitations, and fatigue. Wildfire smoke exposure may exacerbate respiratory, metabolic, and cardiovascular chronic conditions like asthma, COPD, and congestive heart failure. Prompt treatment is crucial. Counsel patients on protective measures, including staying aware of air quality levels, staying indoors, using air filtration, and properly fitting N95 respirators when outdoors. 

For More Information: 

CDC Wildfires

CDC Community Respirators and Masks

CDC Climate Effects on Health: Wildfires