The AQI is a tool to monitor your current air quality conditions, and to know when air pollution is reaching harmful levels. Public health agencies encourage us to use the AQI to guide our daily outdoor activities. Reducing outdoor activities during wildfire smoke events is a key step to preventing adverse health outcomes.

A "Smoke-Safe" room is a space you set up in your home or apartment when air quality due to wildfire smoke has reached unhealthy levels (see www.AirNow.Gov). EPA encourages smoke-safe rooms as wildfire smoke places us at higher risk of asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes.

Store-bought air cleaners can be expensive, but you can make your own low-cost and highly effective Filter-a-Fan.

Prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke is known to contribute to a range of health issues, such as asthma attacks, heart attacks, and even stroke. Smoke is especially harmful to the elderly, pregnant women, infants, young children, diabetics and the immuno-compromised.

During a wildfire event, the hazardous particles and gases from wildfire smoke can build up inside our homes. Learn how and why to set up a “smoke safe” room in your home.