Coping with smoke from wildfires

Wildfires burning across the Western United States have left a haze of unhealthy smoke across the region.

Tens of thousands of acres of land are burning in Western Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and California. The resulting smoke endangers the health of everyone, particularly for vulnerable people such as those with existing heart or lung disease, children, older adults and pregnant women.

Officials with the West Lolo Fire Complex offered several suggestions for coping with wildfire smoke, varying from no cost to low to medium cost.

No cost ways to lower smoke exposure

Know the air quality. Smoke levels can change a lot during the day so watch for periods of cleaner air to run errands, exercise or do outdoor chores. Look for chances to open windows and doors to allow cleaner air into the home if smoke clears.

To track fires and smoke online, go to https://fire.airnow.gov/

For those with a smartphone, a smoke sense app is available at https://epa.gov/air-research/smoke-sense-study-citizen-science-project-using-mobile-app.

Learn the colors of the air quality index and what they mean for actions which can be taken to protect your health.

1. Stay inside with doors and windows closed when it’s smoky. Use towels to block air flow is smoke is coming in through gaps in window or door frames. Just take care to not overheat and open doors and windows to cool down. Watch for times to when smoke may clear and open windows and doors to clear out smoke.
2. Reduce indoor pollution which can be controlled. Reduce or eliminate smoking, vacuuming, candles, incense and aerosol sprays. Reduce or eliminate use of gas, propane or wood burning stoves for heat. Do not fry or broil food.
3. Take it easy. Smoky air is not good for vigorous activities. Put off chopping wood, mowing the lawn or running. Keeping children and pets quiet, too, does help.
4. Set air to recirculate on the HVAC or window air conditioner.
5. Reduce smoke in the vehicle by closing the windows and vents and running the air conditioner on recirculate.

Low to medium cost ways to decrease smoke exposure

Leave the smoky area for a few hours or a few days if you can’t keep the air in the home clean or cool. Check the AirNow forecast page at airnow.gov for your area to see if there is somewhere to go to get a break from the smoke.

Upgrade the HVAC filters to a “MERV 13” or higher and run the system on recirculate. Filters need to be changed more often when it’s smoky. Consult the instructions or a HVAC specialist.

Buy a HEPA portable air cleaner. It costs between $100-$300 and can be used to clean the air in a room, often a bedroom. For more information, go to montanawildfiresmoke.org/hepa-filters.html.

Build a box fan filter for about $40-50 by attaching a 20-inch x 20-inch furnace filter to a 20-inch box fan. But don’t run the fan unattended or at night. Instructions are available at https://wildfiresmoke.org/diy-fan-filter.html.