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Wildfire air quality impacts 

Air quality recommendations for poor air quality events including wildfire smoke impact

Normal population (individuals of all ages): Student/youth population:

As Southern California copes with record heat, and prolonged absence of precipitation, the increased risk of wildfires grows exponentially. During fire season, the months of May through October see the most wildfire activity out of the entire year. Following unusually wet winter seasons, vegetation grows exponentially and later dries up in high temperatures. MDAQMD staff closely monitors air quality within our jurisdiction in the event of wildfires and informs the public on the current air quality and specific measures to take. 

Wildfire smoke effects on sensitive population:

• Lung or heart disease: Individuals with heart disease, chest pains, lung disease, and asthma , are at an increased risk from wildfire smoke. 
• The elderly: Elderly individuals are also highly susceptible to wildfire smoke, due to an increased risk of heat and lung diseases.  
• Children and infants: Children and infants airways are still being developed, and breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults. Children are more at risk since a majority of their time is spent engaging in activities and play. 

Take steps to reduce risks to your health:

• Check local Air Quality Index (AQI).
• View and download Clean Indoor Air info: The Mojave Desert AQMD has developed informational sheets to guide you to clean air indoors during wildfire smoke events.
• Limit outdoor exposure: Staying indoors as much as possible during wildfires can help reduce your risk of health complications from smoke. Limiting or abstaining from outdoor activity is advised when smoke from wildfires are present.
• Keep indoor air as clean as possible: If advised to stay indoors from high levels of wildfire smoke, Keep all windows and doors closed. Use an air conditioner if you have one, but keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside. If you do not have an air conditioner, seek shelter in a designated evacuation center or away from wildfire smoke activity. 
• Follow advice from your healthcare provider: If you are sensitive to smoke from wildfires, or experience trouble breathing from smoke, contact your healthcare provider immediately.  

Ash clean-up:

• Do not use leaf blowers.
• Do not allow children to play in the ash.
• Wait until conditions improve to clean up ash.
• Use a damp cloth and spray areas lightly with water, direct the ash-filled water to the ground areas, and away from the runoff system.
• Take your vehicle to the car wash and wash toys that have been outside in the ash.
• Due to its corrosive nature, avoid skin contact with the ash by wearing gloves and long-sleeved shirts.
• If you have existing heart or lung conditions, avoid doing ash clean-up yourself or anything else that stirs the particles back up into the air.

Additional resources:

• Current Local Air Quality
• Current Health & Smoke Advisories
• Air Quality & Health
• Pollution Sources
• Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials (Wildfire Smoke Guide)