Wildfire Smoke
Wildfire smoke contains a mixture of air pollutants that is released from uncontrolled fires.
Wildfire smoke worsens air quality and can be harmful to children, especially those with asthma.
The Air Quality Index is a tool that can be used to monitor air quality so that you can take steps to stay safe.
Wildfires are fires that are not controlled and can burn wildland, including forests and grasslands. They can spread quickly, destroying everything from trees to homes.1 Wildfires can start due to natural causes, such as lightning strikes. They can also start because of human activities, such as when someone leaves a campfire burning. Certain conditions fuel wildfires, including wind, high temperatures, and dry conditions.2 As global climate changes lead to more extreme weather and plant and animal changes that create conditions that support wildfires, wildfires are becoming more common and getting larger.3 Wildfire season, which tends to occur in the dry summer and fall months, is also lengthening and intensifying with climate change. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has more information on this topic.
Not all wildfires are bad. Small, controlled fires called “prescribed fires” or “controlled burns” are sometimes intentionally set to help prevent dangerous wildfires or improve the health of ecosystems.4 Prescribed fires are managed to follow air quality regulations to avoid harming the health of nearby communities. .5
Wildfire smoke contains gases and particles that are known to be bad for human health, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).3,6 Particulate matter is a complex mixture of solid and liquid droplets.7 PM2.5 is a very small type of particulate matter (much smaller than the thickness of a strand of hair). That concerns human health because the particles can travel deep into the lungs when breathed in and cause breathing problems.7 PM2.5 can also cross into the bloodstream and cause other health problems. The pollutants in wildfire smoke can vary depending on factors such as what is burning, especially if the wildfire is burning in or near a city or community.8 For example, the burning of building materials like plastics, metals, and insulation releases many chemicals that are harmful when breathed in.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ HealthyChildren.org, symptoms of short-term wildfire smoke exposure can include:
- Chest tightness or pain
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Coughing
- Burning or stinging of the nose, throat, and eyes
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
Wildfire smoke is especially dangerous to young people with asthma as they are more sensitive to pollutants in the air. Research shows that more children go to the hospital or emergency room for asthma symptoms when there are wildfires.9 Exposure to wildfire smoke during pregnancy is also linked to poor birth outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight.11 Exposure to wildfire smoke can also impact children’s mental health.12 Scientists are still learning about the long-term health effects in children associated with wildfire smoke, including impacts on mental health.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool from the Environmental Protection Agency for communicating about outdoor air quality and health. The AQI organizes air quality into six color-coded categories. Higher AQI values mean more air pollution and more health concerns. The AQI tells us about ozone and PM2.5 pollution levels, provides details about air quality, and helps you decide what kind of activities are appropriate for you and your children. You should check the Air Quality Index (AQI) in your area, as you would check the weather forecast. Many weather apps now include AQI, so you can check everything in one place.
Image Source: https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/
If there is wildfire smoke or poor air quality for another reason in your area, there are steps that you can take to protect your family.
MONITOR OUTSIDE: Match your outdoor activity levels to the AQI
MONITOR INSIDE: When you stay inside, keep indoor air clean
MONITOR YOUR FAMILY: Respond to symptoms and health needs
MONITOR OUTSIDE: Match your outdoor activity levels to the AQI
Here are a few tips:
- Check the AQI at least daily, like you check the weather forecast
- If the AQI is elevated, minimize outdoor activity, especially with children that may be more sensitive to poor air quality (like in children with asthma)
- Follow local health department guidance to stay safe when air quality is poor
- Follow local news for other guidance about possible school closures or evacuation planning (for example, if there is a current wildfire in your area)
MONITOR INSIDE: When you stay inside, keep indoor air clean. When there is unsafe outdoor air quality from wildfire smoke, it is important to stay inside but some pollution from wildfire smoke can also enter your home. Follow these tips to keep indoor air clean:
- Keep doors and windows closed
- If you use air conditioning (AC), close the fresh air intake to avoid bringing smoky air indoors
- Limit activities that can worsen indoor air quality. This includes frying or broiling foods, smoking or vaping tobacco or cannabis products, vacuuming, burning candles or incense, or using a fireplace
- Use an air purifier if you have one and set it at the highest level. Find more information is in the resources below on choosing and using an air filter
MONITOR YOUR FAMILY: Respond to symptoms and health needs. Monitor your family’s symptoms if there is wildfire smoke in your area.
- If your child is experiencing symptoms of smoke exposure like a cough, move your child inside and call your pediatrician if you have concerns
- Seek immediate medical help if your child is having severe difficulty breathing, dizziness, unusual sleepiness, or if they are refusing food or water
- For children that are more sensitive to poor air quality, such as those with asthma, make sure that they have their rescue medication readily available
Some caregivers may have questions around masking for children to protect against wildfire smoke. The best mask to keep out wildfire smoke is a type of mask that is made to keep out small particles in smoke when you breathe. These masks are called respirators (like N95s).
- If your child is age 7 or older, their face will likely fit an adult NIOSH-approved N95.
- If your child is age 2 to age 7, it is less likely that you will be able to find an N95 that will fit their face well. Some child size medical/surgical masks that may fit their face.
- Children should only wear masks if they are over age 2 and are able to tell you if they are uncomfortable.
For more information on masks, check out “Masks to Protect from Wildfire Smoke During Pregnancy or Early Child Years” by the Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU).
Poor air quality from wildfires can occur during a heat wave. If your home does not have air conditioning, it can become dangerously warm inside the house. Find a local cooling center to keep safe from both poor air and heat. For more information on staying safe during extreme heat, check out our extreme heat page.
During a wildfire event, it is very important to follow local news and local government evacuation recommendations. If your family needs immediate help with evacuation, call 911. Additionally, follow the tips above to keep children safe from poor air quality.13
When a wildfire event has passed, there are a few important things to consider:
- Follow local government recommendations about when it is safe to go home
- Check with your local government to make sure water is safe to drink
- Continue to monitor air quality, as wildfire smoke can impact indoor and outdoor air quality even after a wildfire has been controlled
- Keep children away from ash and debris; clean up should be done when children are not around
- Look out for any lingering symptoms – physical and mental health can be impacted in the months after events; contact your pediatrician if you have any concerns
Wildfires are common and becoming more frequent with climate change. Climate change has lengthened wildfire season. Wildfire season has lengthened in many areas because climate change can create drier and warmer conditions which are ideal for wildfires.14 Prepare your family for wildfires, especially if your family lives in any area where wildfires are common. Here are some tips:
Before wildfire season:
- Create a disaster kit and plan; the American Academy of Pediatrics has tips on creating these kits and plans
- Talk to your child’s pediatrician about making sure your child has enough medications
- Know the contact information for your child’s healthcare professionals
- Maintain your air conditioner in your home and car and replace the filter as directed (the Environmental Protection Agency has more information on this)
- Wildfires. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Accessed May 19, 205. https://www.ready.gov/kids/disaster-facts/wildfires
- Wildfires. National Geographic. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/wildfires/
- Grant E, Runkle JD. Long-term health effects of wildfire exposure: A scoping review. The Journal of Climate Change and Health. 2022/05/01/ 2022;6:100110. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joclim.2021.100110
- A Century of Wildfire Suppression. USDA Northwest Climate Hub. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/northwest/topic/prescribed-fire-northwest#:~:text=Prescribed%20fires%20are%20shorter%20in,quality%20regulations%20of%20nearby%20communities.
- The Ecological Benefits of Fire. National Geographic. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/ecological-benefits-fire/
- Holm SM, Miller MD, Balmes JR. Health effects of wildfire smoke in children and public health tools: a narrative review. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. 2021/01/01 2021;31(1):1-20. doi:10.1038/s41370-020-00267-4
- Why Wildfire Smoke is a Health Concern. EPA. Accessed May 27, 20205. https://www.epa.gov/wildfire-smoke-course/why-wildfire-smoke-health-concern
- Exposure to Smoke from Fires. New York State Department of Health. Accessed May 27, 2025. https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/air/smoke_from_fire.htm
- Holm SM, Miller MD, Balmes JR. Health effects of wildfire smoke in children and public health tools: a narrative review. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. Feb 2021;31(1):1-20. doi:10.1038/s41370-020-00267-4
- Durrwacht KP, Lisa. Climate Change & Wildfires: Why Kids are Most at Risk. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/climate-change-has-sparked-more-wildfires-why-kids-are-most-at-risk.aspx
- Zhang Y, Tingting Y, Huang W, et al. Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke on Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Current Environmental Health Reports. 2024/03/01 2024;11(1):46-60. doi:10.1007/s40572-023-00420-9
- Syed A, Basu R. The effect of wildfire smoke on children’s health: A systematic review. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. Jan 2025;39(1):110-119. doi:10.1111/ppe.13141
- Wildfires: What Parents Need to Know. American Academy of Pediatrics Accessed May 28, 2025. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Wildfires-Information-for-Parents.aspx
- Wildfire Climate Connection NOAA. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://www.noaa.gov/noaa-wildfire/wildfire-climate-connection
Updated: Sophia Milazzo; Scott Henderson, MD; Hannah Thompson, MD MPH; May 2025
Featured Rxs – English:
Outdoor Air Quality, Extreme heat- babies, Extreme heat- children
Featured Rxs – Español:
Calidad del Aire Exterior, Cuidados en los Dias de Calor Extremo par niños, Cuidados en los Dias de Calor Extremo para bebes
PEHSU Wildfire Factsheet
National:
- AirNow: Fire and Smoke Map
- AirNow: Air Quality Index
- AirNow: Wildfire Smoke Fact Sheet
- AirNow: Flag Program
- AirNow: Children’s Health and Wildfires
- CDC: Wildfire Smoke and Children
- EPA: Smoke-Ready Toolbox for Wildfires
- EPA: Why Wildfire Smoke is a Health Concern
- EPA: Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality
- HealthyChildren.org: Wildfires: What Parents Need to Know
- NOAA: Fire Weather
- PEHSU: Wildfires
- California EPA: Guidance for Schools During Wildfire Smoke Events
- American Lung Association: Wildfires
New York State:
- New York State: NY Alert
- NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation: Fire Danger Map
- NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation: Wildfires
- NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation: Today’s Air Quality Index (AQI) Forecast for New York State
- NYS DOH: Cooling Centers
- NYS DOH: Exposure to Smoke from Fires
- NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services: Before an Emergency Happens
- P30 Research Center: Wildfire Activity Sheet (link to come)
Local Resources:
New York City:
- NYC DOH: Air Quality: Fire and Smoke
- NYC Rx for Prevention: Outdoor Air Quality
Albany:
- Albany County DOH: Air Quality
- Albany Rx for Prevention: Outdoor Air Quality
Buffalo:
- Buffalo Rx for Prevention: Outdoor Air Quality
Hudson Valley:
- Hudson Valley Rx for Prevention: Outdoor Air Quality