What are the Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke? 

What's so dangerous about wildfire smoke?
​The video below, "Be Smart About Wildfire Smoke", explains who is most at risk and why. 
​Common symptoms of smoke exposure:
​
  • Coughing
  • Trouble breathing
  • Stinging or itchy eyes
  • Scratchy throat
  • Headache
  • Lack of energy
  • Changes in appetite
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Feelings of hopelessness, irritability, or depression
  • ​For more information about the mental health effects of increased wildfire smoke and other climate factors, visit our Climate and Mental Health page.

Who is Most at Risk from Smoke?

When thick smoke rolls in, it can affect everyone: we get grumpy because we can’t spend as much time outside, our throats hurt. While no one wants to understate the effects of smoke on all of us, some people are disproportionately harmed by wildfire smoke. In fact, about 1 in 3 Missoulians belong to a demographic that is particularly vulnerable to wildfire smoke. This includes children (especially the really little kiddos), pregnant women, seniors, and folks with asthma, heart, lung, or circulatory system disease - more than you would think! Read on to learn more about the risk, what health effects may be experienced during a smoke episode, and what to do to reduce risk . 
ASTHMATICS
Potential Effects from Smoke:
  • More frequent and more severe asthma attacks
What You Can Do:
  • Create an asthma action plan with your healthcare provider at the beginning of the summer
  • Discuss prevention and treatment options for smoke events that are customized to you
  • Carry an emergency inhaler
  • Reduce the amount of time you’re breathing unhealthy air by Creating Healthy Indoor Air At Home or finding a clean indoor air location
CHILDREN (AGES 0 - 5)
Potential Effects from Smoke:
  • Risk of damage to lungs, which are still developing
  • Kids are more likely to be active when outdoors - running, playing, being kids - meaning they typically inhale more harmful chemicals per pound of body weight
What You Can Do:
OLDER ADULTS
Potential Effects from Smoke: 
  • Increased susceptibility to bacterial or viral infections because of compromised immune system
​What You Can Do: 
  • Consult your healthcare provider and follow their advice if you have any specific medical concerns about prescription drugs that you are taking
  • Have an adequate supply of medication on hand (more than 5 days worth) in case of an emergency​
  • Reduce the amount of time you’re breathing unhealthy air by Creating Healthy Indoor Air At Home or finding a clean indoor air location
PREGNANT WOMEN
Potential Effects from Smoke: 
  • Damage to the developing lungs of the fetus
What You Can Do: ​
THOSE WITH CHRONIC HEART OR LUNG DISEASE
Potential Effects from Smoke: 
  • Shortness of breath
  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
  • Chest tightness
  • Pain in chest, neck, shoulder, or arm
  • Heart palpitations
  • Unusual fatigue or light headedness
What You Can Do: 
  • Consult your healthcare provider and follow their advice if you have any specific medical concerns about prescription drugs that you are taking
  • Have an adequate supply of medication on hand (more than 5 days worth) in case of an emergency​
  • Reduce the amount of time you’re breathing unhealthy air by Creating Healthy Indoor Air At Home or finding a clean indoor air location
THOSE WITH CIRCULATORY SYSTEM DISEASE
Potential Effects from Smoke: 
  • Temporary chest pain
  • Heart attacks
  • Cardiac arrhythmia
  • Acute congestive heart failure
  • Stroke
What You Can Do: 
  • Consult your healthcare provider and follow their advice if you have any specific medical concerns about prescription drugs that you are taking
  • Have an adequate supply of medication on hand (more than 5 days) in case of an emergency
  • Reduce the amount of time you’re breathing unhealthy air by Creating Healthy Indoor Air At Home or finding a clean indoor air location
What does that mean for me?
Smoke affects everyone differently, both physically and mentally. Even if you don’t appear to be experiencing symptoms, be extra cautious with how much time you spend outside and how active you are outdoors, especially if you’re a kid with developing lungs or a senior. If you have pre-existing conditions like heart or lung disease, wildfire smoke could have very specific health implications for you. Please speak to your healthcare provider.

Preparing for Wildfire Smoke

For our most updated information on wildfire smoke and its relationship to COVID-19, visit our companion site, montanawildfiresmoke.org
​

How do you prepare for wildfire smoke? 
The video below, "Prepare for Wildfire Smoke" shows how you can stay healthy during smoke events.  

Stay Healthy During Smoke Events

Although we don't have control over smoke entering our valley, there are things we can do to stay healthy and sane when smoke is here.​​
Do face masks help with wildfire smoke pollution? 
Cloth masks do not work for pm 2.5. Well-fitting particulate respirator masks, the ones recommended for Covid, and also known as an N95 mask, can filter out PM 2.5. Keep in mind that particulate respirator masks must fit tightly to work properly, so they actually make breathing more difficult and are not recommended for folks who already have trouble breathing.​