Smoke Ready Week 2020

Summer is Coming: Wildfire Smoke Preparations

Now is the time to make a plan for how you’ll take care of yourself when the smoke comes. We’ve talked about your health, how to make a cleaner indoors space, and how to stay informed. It will take some time to get everything in order before a smoke event occurs.

Read through these steps and make a plan for when a wildfire is impacting your air quality.

1. Make a medical plan. Get in touch with your doctor now if you have any questions about how smoke might affect your health. Don’t wait until smoke arrives. If you have asthma or other lung disease, follow your doctor’s directions about taking your medicines and following your asthma management plan. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen. If you have heart or lung disease, if you are an older adult, or if you have children, talk with your doctor about whether and when you should leave the area. When smoke is heavy for a prolonged period of time, fine particles can build up indoors, even though you may not be able to see them.

2. If you are at risk, stock up on medications and food before smoke becomes an issue. Leaving the house during a smoke event can put smoke sensitive individuals at risk. Try to choose foods that don’t require much cooking because cooking adds to indoor air pollution.

3. Make an evacuation plan. Prepare ahead of time in case you need to evacuate because of heavy smoke or nearby fire. Consider the needs of all family members, prepare your children, and think about your pets as well.

3. Pay attention to local air quality reports. Stay alert to smoke-related news coverage or health warnings. Sign up for air quality alerts. If you didn’t before, read THIS to learn where to get information about wildfires and local air quality reports. Three (3) day air quality forecasts are available at DEQ’s website.

                                 

           

4. If you are advised to stay indoors, take steps to keep indoor air as clean as possible. When smoke levels are high, try to avoid using anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves - and even candles! Vacuuming stirs up particles already inside your home – use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or wet mop instead. Avoid smoking. Contact Project Filter for free quit support by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit projectfilter.org.

5. Run your air conditioner if you have one. Keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. Yesterday, we talked about maintaining a cleaner indoor air space. Read through that (again) if you need a refresher. Note: If you don't have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather. In these cases, seek alternative shelter (before you make that decision review this CDC guidance).

                                            

6. Use common sense. If it looks smoky outside, it's probably not a good time to mow the lawn or go for a run. And it's probably not a good time for your children to play outdoors.

It's officially summer tomorrow but we can all hope for a mild wildfire season like we had last year. Check back next week for a look at what the National Interagency Coordination Center is predicting for us!