Smoke-Ready Toolbox for Wildfires
Preparation is key to effective response to wildfire smoke events. Wildfires can start and spread rapidly, and a smoke event may impact a community in a matter of hours. Smoke can travel hundreds of miles and can impact the air quality and public health of communities far from the fire. It is critical that communities have partnerships, response frameworks and communication plans in place before a smoke event.
Communities should assess vulnerabilities in advance, plan for appropriate responses, and take action during a smoke event. This toolbox includes resources and information that communities can use to help them prepare for smoke events.
Resource en español available: Caja de herramientas “Smoke Ready” (Listo para el humo) para incendios forestales
On this page:
- Community Resources
- Smoke, Health, Air Quality and Fire Risk
- Actions to Reduce Exposure to Smoke
- Additional Resources
Community Resources
This section contains resources for communities to learn more about smoke readiness and preparing for smoke events.
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Smoke-Ready Communities Research to Prepare for Wildfires | Learn more about research on how communities can prepare and empower residents with evidence-based, locally relevant information during fire-related smoke events and recommend actions to reduce public health impacts from smoke. |
| Wildfire Smoke Guide and Factsheets | Provides state, local, and Tribal public health officials with information they need to be prepared for smoke events and, when wildfire smoke is present, to communicate health risks and take measures to protect the public. |
| Wildfire Smoke and Your Patients' Health Online Training | Take a health care professionals continuing education course about the health effects associated with wildfire smoke and actions for patients to take before and during a wildfire to reduce exposure. |
| Best Practices for Improving Indoor Air Quality in Commercial/Public Buildings During Wildland Fire Smoke Events | The purpose of this document is to provide a concise and complete source of information on the steps that can be taken to reduce the impacts of wildfire smoke indoors in commercial or public buildings. |
Smoke, Health, Air Quality and Fire Risk
This section contains information about the health effects of wildfire smoke exposure, including information for more at-risk groups. There are also resources communities can use to understand their fire risk and their current air quality.
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Health Effects Attributed to Wildfire Smoke | Learn about health effects associated with wildfire smoke exposure. |
| Wildfire Smoke At-Risk Groups of People | Learn who is at a greater risk of health effects from wildfire smoke exposure. |
| AirNow Fire and Smoke Map | Check current wildfire smoke air quality conditions, as well as fire locations from incidents and satellite detections, and smoke plumes detected by satellites. |
| National Interagency Coordination Center Wildfire Outlook | Learn more about potential fire risk in a community. |
| NOAA Fire Weather Outlook | Learn more about fire weather conditions in a community. |
Actions to Reduce Exposure to Smoke
This section contains resources on specific actions individuals and communities can take to reduce their exposure during smoke events and protect their health.
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| AirNow Wildfires | Learn about actions to reduce smoke exposure before, during and after a fire. |
| Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality | Learn about actions to reduce indoor smoke exposure. |
| Create a Clean Room to Protect Indoor Air Quality | Learn how to create a clean room to reduce smoke exposure. |
| Air Cleaners and Air Filters in the Home | Read about air cleaners and air filters commonly used in homes. |
| Air Quality and Activity Guidance for Schools | Learn more about protecting children and teenagers. |
| Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality in Schools and Commercial Buildings | Read about ways to reduce indoor smoke for commercial buildings and schools. |
Additional Resources
- Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program
- National Interagency Coordination Center
- EPA Wildland Fire Research
- CDC Wildfires and Your Safety
- Video on Wildfire Smoke and Children’s Health (English and Spanish)