At a Glance

• Wildfire smoke is mainly made up of microscopic particulate matter.
• When inhaled, it can go deep inside the lungs and bloodstream.
• Smoke from wildfires can impact air quality thousands of miles away.

Wildfire smoke is linked to a host of medical problems, even in people who are otherwise healthy.

Why is wildfire smoke so bad for us?

-Wildfire smoke is made up mainly of microscopic particulate matter 30 times smaller than the diameter of a strand of hair.

-The particles are made up of things like acids, chemicals, metals, soil and dust from whatever the fire is burning – including vegetation, buildings and vehicles.

-When inhaled, they can go deep inside the lungs and bloodstream.

-Research has shown smoke from wildfires is 10 times more hazardous to humans than similar pollution from other sources.

-The CDC says breathing in wildfire smoke can cause coughing, shortness of breath, increased heart rate and other immediate effects, even in healthy people.

-It can also aggravate chronic heart and lung conditions, increase the risk of stroke and heart attack, damage vital organs and shorten a person’s lifespan.

Weather.com meteorologist Danielle Banks adds:

-“Air quality can be affected hundreds or thousands of miles away from the actual fire.”

-“Small particles of smoke can stay in the air and move through the atmosphere for weeks depending on how long the fires last.”

-“Pets can also be affected by unhealthy air and if possible, should be brought indoors.”

What can you do to protect yourself?

-There are a few ways to track your local air quality index (AQI), including the federal government’s AirNow website and The Weather Channel app.

-NOAA says: “The AQI focuses on health effects you may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air.”

-For some people, health issues can start with relatively low AQI. The higher the number gets, the worse the effects.

-It may be necessary to stay indoors with windows and doors closed and avoid outdoor activities.

Why Wildfire Smoke Is Bad For Your Health | Weather.com