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The risk of wildfires and accompanying wildfire smoke is increasing and a longer fire + smoke season is projected from our changing climate 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. Live outside Missoula? We have a new site for all of Montana: MontanaWildfireSmoke.org
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2020 - What we're reading:
Long After the Flames Go Out, Wildfire Smoke and Its Impact Lingers — Even if We Can’t See It. Discover Magazine Wildfire smoke may cause life-long harm. BBC 2019 Smoke-Ready Blog by Sarah Coefield, Missoula Health Dept. Still relevant in 2020! 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
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Prepare for Wildfire Smoke: what to do when conditions are severe
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Be Smart About Wildfire Smoke: who is most at risk and why
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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:
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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?
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
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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.
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People who have asthma:
Potential Effects from Smoke:
Pregnant Women:
Potential Effects from Smoke:
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Adults over age of 65:
Potential Effects from Smoke:
Chronic Heart or Lung Disease:
Potential Effects from Smoke:
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Children (specifically ages 0 - 5):
Potential Effects from Smoke:
Circulatory System Disease:
Potential Effects from Smoke:
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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 Portable Air Cleaner
- 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:
Click to enlarge
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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?
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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 |
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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!)
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Additional Resources:
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles:
- The State of Montana has a 2-pager: Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
- Check out the EPA's Smoke Ready Toolbox with information about smoke, health, and air quality: Toolbox
- If you find you're now seen as "in the know," check out the State's Public Health Wildfire Communication Tool Kit
- Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials addresses wildfire response and reducing smoke exposure.
- And in case you missed this above, here is the crucial OUTDOOR ACTIVITY Recommendation Chart to help decide when to be active outside. It's designed for coaches, schools, day care centers, summer camps, and anyone who plays outside.
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles:
- Health impacts of wildfires. PLoS Currents 2012. Article for download. Weblink.
- Smoke Waves: Particulate air pollution in the western US from climate change. Climate Change. 2016
- Science News. The list of diseases linked to air pollution is growing.
