Program Overview
Large forest fires in the western United States have been more frequent in recent years and many have been much more devastating. With a changing climate this is likely to continue or worsen. Because children breathe more air per minute than adults, and have lungs that are still developing, they are especially vulnerable to health effects during wildfires, especially children that are very young or who already have respiratory diseases. Below are resources for further exploring wildfire and air quality data as well as associated health effects.
Resources created by WSPEHSU on Wildfire Smoke
This handout offers guidance on constructing a DIY air purifier using a box fan and air filters. It includes step-by-step instructions, materials needed, and safety tips to improve indoor air quality, especially during events like wildfires.
This guide explains how to perform a proper user seal check for respirators to ensure effective protection.
This document provides guidance on mask and respirator use for children and pregnant individuals during wildfire smoke events.
This document provides health professionals with guidance on addressing the acute health impacts of wildfires.
This document provides guidance on mask and respirator use for children and pregnant individuals during wildfire smoke events.
This document provides comprehensive guidelines to help California schools prepare for and respond to wildfire smoke events, including strategies for maintaining indoor air quality, communication protocols, and recommendations for student and staff safety during such incidents.
This poster highlights steps to protect health and improve air quality during and after wildfire events.
This infographic provides tips for protecting children during wildfire smoke events, including air filtration and mask use.
This document explains how to perform a seal check on respirators and masks to ensure effective protection during wildfire smoke events.
This infographic explains the impact of wildfires on air quality and provides tips for staying safe during smoke events.
Recommendations for protective actions (such as staying indoors with filtered air and ash cleanup protocols), and guidance on mask use, evacuation considerations, and emotional support during wildfire events.
This document provides guidance on using air filtration systems to improve indoor air quality and reduce exposure to pollutants.
Factsheet on wildfires, safety precautions, and cleanup procedures.
Scientific Paper by WSPEHSU on Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke in Children:
WSPEHSU staff (Stephanie Holm, MD, MPH; Mark Miller, MD, MPH; and John Balmes, MD) are authors of Health effects of wildfire smoke in children and public health tools: a narrative review, a scientific paper on wildfire smoke and children’s health published by the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology.
WSPEHSU’s Dr. Stephanie Holm is interviewed on Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke in Children:
Wildfire Smoke and Children’s Health NIEHS Podcast Dr. Stephanie Holm is interviewed by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) on children’s health risks from wildfire smoke exposure where she offers advice to parents on how to keep kids safe during a wildfire event. Listen here!
Other Helpful Resources:
- Wildfire Smoke and Health (EPA): An array of fact sheets and materials, including a guide for public health officials (136pgs)
- National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine: Wildfire Preparedness, Response, and Recovery: Health System Resilience in the Era of Complex Wildfire Risk (3 part webinar series)
- Washington Children and Youth Activities Guide for Air Quality (PDF): Guide on air pollution activity from the State of Washington, Department of Health
- Protect Family Mental Health During Wildfires (YouTube Video): What you can do to protect your family’s mental health during wildfires and stressful events
- Proteja la salud mental de la familia durante los incendios forestales (Video de YouTube): información sobre lo que puede hacer para proteger la salud mental de su familia durante incendios forestales y otros eventos estresantes
- Environmental Hazards for Children in the Aftermath of Wildfires (for Health Professionals) (PDF): Factsheet from the National PEHSU
- Health Risks of Wildfires for Children – Acute Phase (for Health Professionals) (PDF) Factsheet from the National PEHSU
- Be Smoke Ready: Know Where to Go for Air Quality Info: US EPA short video on where to get information on air quality during a wildfire smoke event.
- Be Smoke Ready: Know the Color of the Air Quality Index (AQI): US EPA short video on reading and understanding air quality during a wildfires
- Air Cleaning Devices for the Home: Information on air cleaning devices developed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
- Indoor Air Filtration: Wildfire smoke fact sheet on indoor air filtration.
- COVID-19, Wildfires, and Indoor Air Quality EPA Guidelines: Public health guidance for sheltering from wildfires in cleaner air spaces during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- AirNow: US National and local maps of current air quality data from the US EPA sensors
- US EPA Smoke Ready Toolbox for Wildfires: US EPA page of resources for learning about wildfires and the health effects of smoke exposure
- Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Professionals: Fact sheet for public health professionals, written by US EPA, CDC, US Forest Service
- Air Quality Information: US EPA SmokeSense App: Free app to help EPA learn about health effects users are experiencing. And, you can learn about wildfires and health effects.
- Find certified HEPA air cleaning devices: List of air cleaning devices certified by the California Air Resources Board, California EPA
- Talking to Children about Wildfires: National Association for School Psychologists: Strategies for parents, teachers and schools to help children cope with wildfire stress
- Smoke and Your Family’s Health-English: Fact sheet for families on the health effects of wildfire smoke and steps to protect your children
- El humo y la salud de su familia: Una hoja informativa para las familias sobre los efectos en la salud del humo de incendios forestales y los pasos que puede tomar para proteger a sus hijos