Preparing For Smoke
What's Bad About Wildfire Smoke?
Smoke contains very small particles, water vapor, and gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, irritant volatile organic compounds and air toxins.
One of the biggest dangers from wildfire smoke are the small liquid and solid particulates we breathe in.
Wildfire smoke is unhealthy to breathe in.
How To Protect Yourself
Listen to your local air quality reports for information about what measures you should take.
If you’re advised to stay indoors, keep your windows and doors closed if it is cool enough.
Run your air conditioner, if you have one. Keep the fresh air intake closed (use the re-circulation mode), and keep the filter clean.
Indoor air filtration devices with HEPA filters can reduce the levels of particles indoors. Make sure to change your HEPA filter regularly.
Air Quality Categories
Categories Visibility in Miles
Good: 13+
Moderate: 9 to 13
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 5 to 9
Unhealthy: 2.25 to 5
Very Unhealthy: 1.25 to 2.25
Hazardous: 1.25 or less
