Learn How to Protect Yourself from Smoke

Living in a fire-prone landscape means dealing with varying levels of smoke in the air. It's important to know and utilize steps to reduce exposure to smoke. 

How do I prevent smoke exposure? 

Pay attention to air quality reports. Reducing your exposure to smoke means knowing when and how much smoke is in the air. Use AirNow.gov to stay aware of air quality in your area. 

If you are advised to stay indoors, take steps to keep the indoor air as clean as possible. When smoke levels are high, try to avoid using gas stoves, fireplaces, and candles. Additionally, don't vacuum or smoke. Keep windows and doors closed, and create a clean air room if possible. 

Avoid exercising outdoors during smoky conditions. 

Run your air conditioner if you have one. Run the AC on recirculate with a new filter, keeping the fresh air intake closed to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.

If you have heart or lung disease, are an older adult, or other factors that put you at increased risk during periods of heavy smoke, talk with your doctor about whether and when you should leave the area. 

Understanding the Air Quality Index (AQI)

What is the Air Quality Index? The U.S. AQI is the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) index for reporting air quality. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. The AQI is divided into six categories. Each category corresponds to a different level of health concern: 

Smoke Ready Resources: