Jefferson County Health Department: Wildfire Smoke Unhealthy for Everyone

Montana is known for its big, blue skies and fresh air. Summer in “Big Sky Country” brings opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities which are enjoyed by many. As temperatures rise, so does the risk of wildfires and wildfire smoke. Montana’s wildfire season typically runs from May through September. The peak of the season generally occurs in mid-July. It is important to understand the risks associated with wildfire season. Preparing for and knowing how to live with wildfires is integral to staying healthy during Montana’s summer months. (Check out https://www.mtfireinfo.org).

Wildfire smoke is unhealthy for everyone. When smoke is present, our best strategy is to reduce exposure. Most healthy adults will recover from smoke exposure. However, some individuals are especially sensitive to the health effects of smoking. Infants and children, pregnant women, adults 65 and older, and people with heart and lung disease may experience more severe smoke-related health problems.

Children are considered more vulnerable regardless of any pre-existing conditions because their lungs are still developing. Pregnant women and their unborn children are at greater risk than the general population. Many of our older population have pre-existing heart and lung disease. Anyone with respiratory or heart disease may find that they experience more severe symptoms and find it harder to breathe when exposed. Exposure to smoke may be unhealthy simply due to the pollutants and microorganisms circulating in the smoke.

Smoke pollutants pose health threats that range from irritation and cough to more severe respiratory and cardiac risks. Both wildfire smoke and respiratory illness can cause considerable trouble breathing. When our bodies react to breathing smoke, the symptoms can look like a respiratory illness: coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Breathing wildfire smoke can make the symptoms of a respiratory illness worse. The full impact of wildfire smoke is not yet fully understood. For those concerned about how wildfire smoke may impact your health, discussing those concerns with your healthcare provider is good. Call your healthcare provider if you experience severe wheezing and shortness of breath — they can help you know whether you should be assessed. Call 911 if you are experiencing respiratory distress.

During wildfire events, there are some steps you can take to manage your risks.

• Monitor the local air quality and plan your activity accordingly. For the most up-to-date information and to check current conditions in your surrounding area, visit https://deq.mt.gov/air/Programs/monitoring.

• Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and vents. Use an air purifier to remove smoke particles. When using an air conditioner, set it to recirculate and close the fresh air intake. Monitor indoor air quality if possible.

• Avoid activities that further pollute indoor air, such as vacuuming and burning candles or incense.

• Stay indoors as much as possible.

• Limit strenuous outdoor activity to decrease the volume of inhaled air.

More information on wildfire smoke can be found at dphhs.mt.gov/airquality. Montana Wildfire Smoke's website (https://www.montanawildfiresmoke.org) is another great resource for information on wildfire smoke, including how to build a DIY air filter. They also share informative resources on clean indoor air, outdoor safety, health risks, and the science behind wildfires.

As wildfires change our blue skies to orange this summer, be safe and stay well.