Researchers from the University of California have found that the fire season has lengthened over the past two decades. These wildfires not only occur in remote forests but also affect urban areas, with the Los Angeles wildfire being one of the most severe in California’s history.
Urban wildfires can be more harmful since they burn materials like plastics and chemicals, releasing smoke that poses serious health risks. Even after the flames are extinguished, the air quality in your home can still be compromised.
This guide offers tips on how to protect your health during and after a wildfire, as well as strategies to enhance your preparedness for future incidents. By following these steps, you can improve indoor air quality and create a healthier living environment.
Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke
Lingering wildfire smoke, a mix of harmful gases and tiny particles released from burning vegetation, houses, vehicles, and other materials, can be even more deadly than the fires themselves. These particles, known as PM2.5, are so small that they can penetrate deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream. PM2.5 from wildfires is significantly more harmful to health compared to PM2.5 from other pollution sources.
Short-term exposure can cause symptoms such as coughing, throat irritation, headaches, and shortness of breath, even in healthy people. Long-term exposure or exposure in vulnerable populations - such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions - can lead to more serve health problems like cardiovascular issues, reduced lung function, asthma attacks, and chronic respiratory diseases. Additionally, wildfires can take a toll on people mentally, with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
How to Test Air Quality During and After Wildfires?
Monitoring both indoor and outdoor air quality is the first step to maintaining good indoor air quality during and after wildfires. So how to test it?
For indoor air quality monitoring: Invest in an indoor air quality monitor the INKBIRD IAQM-129-W, which tracks various pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, CO2, TVOC, HCHO, AQI, along with temperature and humidity. If your home is large or has many rooms, you can set up multiple monitors in different locations.
INKBIRD IAQM-129-W Air Quality Monitor
For outdoor monitoring: The easiest way is to use an AQI app or check out AirNow.gov for real-time updates on your local air conditions. While you could set up an outdoor monitor, just make sure it’s protected from harsh weather to maintain accuracy.
By comparing the air quality inside and outside, you can decide weather to ventilate your home or keep it sealed up.
How to Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke?
To reduce your exposure to wildfire smoke and maintain healthier indoor air quality, try these suggestions:
1. Close all windows and doors: Seal your home as much as possible. Use weather stripping, caulk, or even towels to black any gaps, preventing outside air from seeping in. Avoid using whole-house fans or window air conditioners unless they have HEPA filters, as they can draw smoke inside.
2. Stay indoors as much as possible: When outdoor air quality is poor, limit outdoor activities, especially anything strenuous. When smoke is high, the safest place is indoors.
3. Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters capture up to 99.7% of fine particles, including PM2.5. Place these purifiers in rooms where you spend the most time, such as bedrooms and living areas.
4. Avoid activities that reduce indoor air quality: Activities such as smoking, vacuuming, lighting candles, or cooking can create additional indoor pollution.
5. Wear a protective mask when you go out: If you must go outside, wear a respirator mask like an N95 or P100 to filter out harmful particles more effectively than regular cloth masks.
6. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated: Wildfire smoke can irritate your respiratory system and make it more difficult to breathe. Drinking plenty of water can help keep your lungs and airways moisturized.
How to Recover Air Quality After a Wildfire?
Once wildfires subside, restoring safe air quality in your home is a top priority. Here are some effective tips:
1. Clean thoroughly: Dust and ash particles settle indoors. Use damp cloths and mops to clean floors and surfaces to avoid stirring up particles. Avoid dry sweeping or vaccuming unless unless your vacuum sealer has a HEPA filter/ Don’t forget to wear a mask while cleaning to protect yourself.
2. Ventilate your home: Once the outdoor air is better, open up your window and doors to let fresh air in, and use fans to help circulate it.
3. Change HVAC filters: Wildfire particles can clog your HVAC systems and reduce their efficiency. Change HVAC and air purifier filters, preferably with HEPA or MERV-13 rated filters, which are designed to handle smaller particles.
4. Reduce humidity in house: Wildfires can increase indoor humidity, which can promote mold growth - a secondary air quality hazard. It’s best to use dehumidifiers and humidistats to keep your indoor humidity between 30% and 50% automatically.
5. Check for long-term damage: If your home was close to the fire, soot and smoke residue may have seeped into walls, furniture, or carpets. Consider consulting a professional for a deep cleaning or assessment.
How to Prepare for Future Wildfire Events?
Wildfires are no longer isolated incidents. Due to climate changes, they are becoming more common and intense, especially in places like California where it’s more about “when” they’ll happen rather than “if.” The following tips can help you be prepared in the event of future wildfires:
1. Prepare an emergency Go-Bag: Include essentials like water, food, masks, medications, and important documents. If the situation deteriorates, you will have everything you need to evacuate quickly.
2. Make your home safer: Create an area around your home that is free of flammable materials and vegetation, and use fire-resistant materials like metal and clay to reinforce your roof, chimney, vents, window, walls, and fences. Also, consider adding a water pump and a long hose to provide adequate water.
3. Stock up on air purifiers and backup batteries: Have multiple air purifiers on hand to distribute throughout your home during fire season. Stock up on replacement filters so you can change them as needed. Wildfires can also cause power outages, and a solar-powered system could be a lifesaver.
4. Stay informed: Regularly monitor your local weather and fire updates to stay ahead of any potential threats.
