What to do during wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke
Canada’s changing climate is making wildfires more frequent and longer lasting. Wildfire smoke can travel long distances, affecting air quality in communities both near and far from the fire.
When air quality is poor due to wildfire smoke, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Irritation and discomfort in your eyes
- Nasal congestion and a runny nose
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing
- Worsening of heart and lung conditions
How to prepare
- Put together an emergency kit for your home with essential supplies such as non-perishable food, water, batteries, flashlights, and other items in case of an emergency.
- Create an emergency action plan for your household your household. Be sure to include your pets in your plan.
- Monitor air quality reports and wildfire updates in your area to know when smoke levels are high.
- Weather strip windows and doors to prevent smoke from entering.
- Check your furnace filters to ensure they’re clean. Replace them if necessary.
- Purchase a portable air purifier with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter.
What to do during
- Shut all windows and doors to keep smoke from entering your home.
- Limit outdoor activities as much as possible.
- Use air purifiers or HVAC systems with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters if available.
- Close fresh air intakes from furnaces. If you have air conditioning, set it to recirculate.
- Check your furnace filter regularly and replace it as needed.
- If your house gets warm from the windows being closed, visit an air-conditioned public space with filtered air, such as malls, libraries, or recreation centres.
- Keep pets inside as much as possible and make sure they have plenty of water. Smoke can be harmful to them too!
- When driving, keep windows closed and set the ventilation system to recirculate to prevent smoky air from entering your vehicle from outside.
What to do after
- If you experience severe symptoms from wildfire smoke, consult a healthcare professional for guidance on managing your health.
- Check on neighbours, friends and older family members, especially those who are more susceptible to health issues during smoke events.
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