Wildfires in the west are happening more often and with greater intensity due in part to climate change. Missoula is particularly at risk due to our valley location. Learn about the health risks from smoke, as well as ways to stay healthy, by clicking on the buttons above or by scrolling down. Learn more about the science behind our changing summers.

We've also got resources to help you outfit your home for heat and smoke - and you can jump directly to our guide to HEPA portable air cleaners.  You can also donate to our program to provide filters to those in need.

Live outside Missoula? We have a new site for all of Montana: MontanaWildfireSmoke.org
2019 Smoke-Ready Blog by Sarah Coefield, Missoula Health Dept.

These are excellent articles about how to prepare for and deal with wildfire smoke.

Two short Videos:  Prepare for Wildfire Smoke + What's the Risk

Prepare for Wildfire Smoke:  what to do when conditions are severe
​Be Smart About Wildfire Smoke:  who is most at risk and why
If these films do not show automatically (sometimes settings are blocked), you can download and watch Prepare Here and Risk Here. 

What are the Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke? 

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.
What’s so dangerous about wildfire smoke? 
Wildfire smoke contains a complex mixture of gases and fine particles, the most dangerous of which are fine particles, aka particulate matter (PM). PM 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller (PM 2.5) is what we’re most worried about because it can easily enter the lungs and blood. These fine particles can cause respiratory and cardiac issues, exacerbated asthma, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Other, larger particles are also harmful. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) are found in wildfire smoke and include chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde. These cause headaches, scratchy throats, upset stomaches, and more.
 
What does that mean for me?
Smoke affects everyone differently, both physically and mentally.. Healthy folks may not experience any immediate effects, or they may have respiratory symptoms or pulmonary inflammation. 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. Read more here or speak to your healthcare provider.
 
How do I know if I’m affected by smoke? 
Symptoms of exposure to wildfire smoke include coughing, trouble breathing, stinging eyes, scratchy throat, headaches, and a host of other symptoms. Mentally, you may be eating or sleeping too much or too little, have little to no energy, feel helpless or hopeless, or be more irritable than normal.   ​

Who is Most at Risk During a Smoke Event? 

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Asthmatics
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Adults over age 65
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Children (ages 0 - 5)
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Pregnant Women
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Heart or Lung Disease
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Circulatory System Disease
When thick smoke rolls in, it can affect everyone: we get grumpy because we can’t spend as much time outside, and we go into work smelling like we slept next to a campfire. While no one wants to understate the effects of smoke on all of us, some people in our community are disproportionately harmed by wildfire smoke. In fact, about 1 in 3 Missoulians belong to a demographic that is particularly vulnerable to wildfire smoke. Who are they? Children (especially the really little kiddos), pregnant women, seniors, and folks with asthma, heart, lung, or circulatory system disease. See, more than you would think! If you or someone you love is among one of these groups, read on to learn more about why you’re at risk, what health effects you may experience during a smoke episode, and what you can do to reduce your risk and stay sane. 
Here's an interesting article about the effects of wildfire smoke on animals.
People who have asthma:
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
Pregnant Women: 
Potential Effects from Smoke: 
  • Damage to the developing lungs of the fetus
What You Can Do: ​
Adults over age of 65: 
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
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
Children (specifically 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:
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

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.
  • For reducing smoke exposure at home, consider purchasing a HEPA air filtration unit.
  • See our Tips for Improving Indoor air to learn more about reducing pollution and improving central air systems to filter smoke.
  • We highly recommend this OUTDOOR ACTIVITY recommendation chart to help decide when to be active. It's designed for coaches, schools, day care centers, and summer camps, but it's handy for anyone who works or plays in the outdoors.
  • When the air is unhealthy, indoors may be the best place to be. Learn how to Create Healthy Indoor Air At Home
  • If you work outside and can't avoid the smoke, any amount of time spent in an indoor space where the air is cleaner can help - even if that's just on your lunch break or after you get home from work.
  • Another option for keeping particulate matter from wildfire smoke out of your lungs is to wear a particulate respirator mask, also known as an N95 or P100 mask, with two straps. One-strap masks, surgical masks, and bandanas do NOT filter out the tiny particulate matter present in wildfire smoke. 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, or for use while engaged in strenuous physical activity.
  • More of what to do in the INFOGRAPHICS below:
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Up-to-Date Air Quality Information

 Not every wildfire smoke event is hazardous to our health. Smoke events range from the mild fog of a controlled burn to the thick, soupy haze of a raging wildfire. Usually, it's somewhere in between. To know what to do, you need to know just how bad is the air?
  1. Check todaysair.mt.gov - click on the dot representing Missoula for current and forecasted air quality

  2. Get the latest report from the Missoula Health Dept. - updated most days during the 2019 fire season.

  3. Look outside & know the visibility guidelines
       - Cannot see 5 miles? Unhealthy air
       - Cannot see 2 miles? Very Unhealthy air
       - Cannot see 1 mile? Hazardous air​
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  4. Call the Missoula Air-Quality Hotline: 406 - 258 - 3600​​​​​
Check out the detailed wildfire forecast for the next few months.

Two quick videos from Air Quality Specialist Sarah:

Real-Time Air Quality Forecast Map
​Wondering when the air will improve? Check out this great map from Washington State University forecasting air quality for the next 48 hours. (Click on the image below to open the map - then zoom in to Missoula!) 
Additional Resources:
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles: