We live in a fire-adapted ecosystem with annual smoke from wildfire. Prolonged smoke episodes are considered natural disasters, and our preparedness and planning needs to reflect the seriousness of these extended heavy exposures.
Becoming a smoke-ready community is critical. Smoke-ready communities understand their sources of air pollution, are actively working to reduce them, and have resources to protect the most vulnerable. Ensuring access to clean indoor air for all during smoke disasters is crucial to protect our health.
Smoke Ready Checklist
If you must be outside in heavy smoke, an N95 mask is essential. Cloth masks provide very little protection from wildfire smoke. It’s important to know what masks work, how to get a good fit, and considerations for children.
Get an indoor air cleaning system set up. Options include:
If you have HVAC, use the highest-rated MERV filter your system can handle, ideally a MERV-13.
Use a portable air purifier with a HEPA filter.
If you already have a system to clean your air, make sure to check and replace filters as needed well ahead of wildfire season.
For local information, Clean Air Methow maintains 26 purple air sensors with our Clean Air Ambassadors and posts daily on social media during wildfire smoke episodes.
The WA Smoke blog is also a fantastic resource.
Children, anyone over 65, pregnant, or with heart or lung disease is especially susceptible to the health effects of smoke. Anyone who works outdoors gets a lot of exposure. Think about how to keep them out of the smoke and provide clean indoor air as possible.
Social connection is key: identify at least one person you can ask for help, and one person who may need your help. Check in with them throughout a smoke episode.
Make a list of things that have helped you cope during smoke disasters in the past.
Living & Coping with Wildfire Smoke
When it comes to wildfire smoke, we’re all in it together.
The Fifth Season is a series of audio stories that share the wisdom of Methow Valley and North Central Washington community members who have learned to cope with wildfire smoke and to help others do the same.