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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 a prolonged drought, the risk of wildfires grows exponentially.  During fire season, May through October, sees the most wildfire activity of the year.  Following unusually wet winter seasons, vegetation grows exponentially and later dries up in high temperatures.  MDAQMD staff closely monitor air quality within our jurisdiction during wildfires and inform the public of current air quality and specific measures to take. 

Wildfire Smoke Effects on Sensitive Populations:

• 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, as they are at increased risk of heat-related illnesses and lung disease.  
• Children and infants: Their airways are still developing, and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults do.  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 help you achieve clean indoor air during wildfire smoke events.
• Limit Outdoor Exposure: Staying indoors as much as possible during wildfires can help reduce your risk of smoke-related health complications.  Limiting or abstaining from outdoor activity is advised when smoke from wildfires is present.
• Keep Indoor Air as Clean as Possible: If advised to stay indoors due to 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 at a designated evacuation center or away from wildfire smoke. 
• 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 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
• EPA's Wildfire Page
• Air Quality & Health
• Pollution Sources
• Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials (Wildfire Smoke Guide)