Wildfires and Smoke

Reducing Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke

Wildfires and severe smoke can create dangerous conditions for people, especially those with chronic health conditions.

Learn about current wildfires, wildfire smoke conditions, and what you can do to reduce the health effects of wildfire smoke.

Stay Informed
Health threats from wildfire smoke
Fact sheets and FAQs in multiple languages
For employers and health care partners

Community Wildfire Resources

Wildfire and smoke education resources are available in a number of languages, file types and formats on a wide range of topics. Though not an exhaustive list, common tools include fact sheets, FAQs, social media videos, and social media graphics. Examples of topics include wildfire preparedness, what to do during a severe smoke event, creating a cleaner air space and more.

Please note each button below will take you to a complete list of tools in the desired language. Please note that the button will open a new tab or window. You may need to use the back button or close the new tab or window to return to the Oregon Health Authority Wildfires page.

English Español / Spanish اللغة العربية / Arabic 简体中文 / Simplified Chinese 繁體中文 / Traditional Chinese Foosun Chuuk / Chuukese Lus Hmoob / Hmong 한국어 / Korean Kajin Majol / Marshallese Русский / Russian Af Soomaali / Somali Tiếng Việt / Vietnamese

Stay Informed

Oregon Smoke Information Blog
Get current local air quality information from Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and learn if there is a health advisory in your community.

InciWeb (Incident Information System)
State-by-state wildfire public information and other updates.

Northwest Coordinator Center
Updates on resource coordination and logistics support across Oregon agencies.

Oregon Department of Forestry
Learn what ODF is doing to meet major wildfire threats in the state.

Health Threats from Wildfire Smoke

Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases.

Know if you are at risk

If you have heart or lung disease, such as congestive heart failure, angina, COPD, emphysema or asthma, you are at higher risk of having health problems from smoke.
Older adults are more likely to be affected by smoke, possibly because they are more likely to have heart or lung diseases than younger people.
Children are more likely to be affected by health threats from smoke because their airways are still developing and because they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults. Children also are more likely to be active outdoors.
People who are pregnant are at higher risk due to the changes to their bodies during pregnancy and the effects of smoke pollution on the fetus.
People who work or live outdoors and those with low incomes may be at higher risk of smoke exposure, even if they do not fall within any of the other at-risk groups.

Recommendations for people with chronic diseases

Have an adequate supply of medication (more than five days).
If you have asthma, make sure you have a written asthma management plan.
If you have heart disease, check with your health care providers about precautions to take during smoke events.
If you plan to use a portable air cleaner, select a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or an electro-static precipitator (ESP). Buy one that matches the room size specified by the manufacturer.
Call your health care provider if your condition gets worse when you are exposed to smoke.

Recommendations for everyone: Limit your exposure to smoke

Pay attention to local air quality reports.
Listen and watch for news or health warnings about smoke. Find out if your community provides reports about the Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality Index (AQI). Also pay attention to public health messages about taking additional safety measures.

Refer to visibility guides if they are available.
Not every community has a monitor that measures the amount of particles that are in the air. In the Western part of the United States, some communities have guidelines to help people estimate the Air Quality Index (AQI) based on how far they can see.

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. Running a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or an electro-static precipitator (ESP) can also help you keep your indoor air clean. If you do not have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed, seek shelter elsewhere.

Some community spaces may also refuge. If you maintain a space where community gathers, such as a school or commercial building. EPA has guidance available to support ways to keep indoor air at schools and commercial buildings clean.

Avoid adding 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 vacuuming stirs up particles already inside your home. Do not smoke, because smoking puts even more pollution into the air.

If you must go outdoors, NIOSH-approved respirators may offer some protection.
Paper "comfort" or "dust" masks commonly found at hardware stores are designed to trap large particles, such as sawdust. These masks will not protect your lungs from smoke.

There are specialized masks that can help prevent smoke exposure called particulate respirators. If you choose to wear a respirator, select a particulate respirator marked with the word "NIOSH". If it has an "N", "R" or "P" along with the number 95, 99 or 100 printed on it, it is appropriate to use. Users should select a respirator that fits well to ensure a protective seal around the face. For the most protection, learn how to put one on, properly position it on your face and how to remove it. It is important to know that these are not currently made in children's sizes. People with pre-existing health conditions should speak with their health care provider prior to using a respirator. The wearer may find breathing more difficult, particularly for those with heart and lung conditions.

Oregon OSHA offers how-to videos in Spanish and English.

Wildfire Evacuation Tips

Whether you decide to evacuate or are asked to evacuate by state or local authorities, evacuate safely.

Be sure to bring:

An emergency food and water supply.
An emergency medicine supply. Make a plan to keep medications that need refrigeration cold.
Emergency power sources for medical devices and flashlights (don't forget extra batteries).
Safety and personal items, including a face covering and hand sanitizer to protect against COVID. Remember: face coverings do not protect against wildfire smoke.
Important documents, including medical documents, wills, passports and personal identification.

Are you traveling by car?

Reduce smoke in your vehicle by closing your windows and vents and running your car's air conditioner in recirculate mode to lower air intake from outside and to stay cool. Check tripcheck.com to help plan a safe route.

Evacuation Fact Sheets and Resources

Oregon Wildfire
Resources Safe + Strong Helpline:
1-800-923-HELP (4357)

Wildfire Evacuations and COVID-19

The first priority in wildfire situations is responding to the evacuation and safety instructions of local and state fire officials. Regardless of disease status, if you are asked or ordered to evacuate, you should do so. If you or a household member are quarantining or isolating to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and you need to evacuate, please follow the precautions below.