How to Protect Yourself From Wildfire Smoke
New York Times · LC · trust 56/100
Monitor air quality, prepare to stay inside and pay close attention to people with chronic conditions.
Listen · 3:46 min Share full article Firefighters conducting a back burn for the Line fire in California. Air quality is poor near several fires in the region. Credit... Philip Cheung for The New York Times By Dani Blum
The New York Times publishes maps that track air quality and wildfire smoke nationwide. AirNow.Gov and Fire.AirNow.Gov also show the air quality index in a given area, which can help you determine if you should limit the amount of time you spend outdoors.
Air Quality Index values above 100 mean that outdoor air may be unsafe for people who are at higher risk of getting sick. (More on that below.) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that some people could experience health effects at levels between 151 and 200, and that these might be more serious for high-risk people. Levels over 200 are considered “very unhealthy” for anyone. An AQI between 301 and 500 means pollution levels are hazardous, and even more likely to cause health issues.
Smoke can exacerbate the symptoms of respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. If you have these conditions, you may want to be especially cautious when the air is smoky. People with other chronic conditions, like diabetes, chronic kidney disease and heart disease, also have a higher risk of getting sick from inhaling smoke, according to the C.D.C. Children and pregnant women may also be at risk, according to the agency.
But anyone can feel the effects of wildfire smoke. Inhaling it can immediately cause coughing and wheezing, a headache, stinging eyes, a scratchy throat, sinus irritation, chest pain, a rapid heartbeat and fatigue.
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