How to Prepare and Protect Your Home from Wildfire Smoke 

Wildfire season is becoming more intense, and protecting your home from smoke and pollutants is more important than ever.  

California faces wildfire season every year, but 2025 is set to be especially challenging. With ongoing drought, extreme heat, and strong winds, wildfires are burning hotter and faster—sending harmful smoke and pollutants straight into your home. 

In this blog, we’ll break down how wildfire smoke impacts your indoor air quality and how it can affect the health of everyone in your home. Plus, we’ll share 4 simple ways to protect your air quality during wildfire season, helping you reduce smoke exposure, breathe easier, and keep your loved ones safe and healthy.  

 

How Wildfire Smoke Impacts Your Indoor Air Quality

Wildfire smoke carries harmful particles that seep into your home, impacting the air you breathe—even with windows and doors shut.

Did you know that indoor air can be up to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air? (American Lung Association). This is especially concerning when wildfire season hits. While we tend to think of outdoor air quality as the main culprit for pollution, the air inside our homes can become just as—if not more—harmful. Wildfire smoke can easily find its way indoors, which is why it is so important to take steps to keep the air in your home clean and safe.

 

Who is Most at Risk for Poor Indoor Air Quality?

According to the CDC, some people are especially vulnerable to wildfire smoke, including children, seniors, pregnant individuals, and those with health conditions.

While wildfire smoke can affect anyone, certain groups are more at risk:

• People with Health Conditions: Those with asthma, diabetes, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or chronic kidney disease.
• Children and the Elderly: These age groups have developing or weakened respiratory systems, making them more vulnerable to air pollution.
• Pregnant Individuals & Fetus: Exposure to wildfire smoke during pregnancy can lead to adverse outcomes, including low birth weight.
• Outdoor workers and Responders: Increased exposure due to time spent outdoors.
• Pets and other animals: pets and other animals can also be affected by wildfire smoke.
  • CDC Guide to protecting your pets from wildfire smoke (AirNow, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).
  • Guide to protecting livestock from wildfire smoke (AirNow, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).

 

Health Risks of Wildfire Smoke: Immediate and Long-Term Effects

Breathing in wildfire smoke can cause respiratory issues, headaches, fatigue, and other health problems, with long-term risks for chronic conditions (CDC).

Wildfire smoke can lead to both immediate and long-term health effects and complications, such as these symptoms:

• Respiratory Problems: Coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and exacerbated asthma attacks.
• Eye and Throat Irritation: Stinging eyes, scratchy throat, runny rose, and irritated sinuses.
• Systemic symptoms: Headaches, fatigue, chest pain, and a rapid heartbeat.
• Long-term Risks: Headaches, fatigue, chest pain, and rapid heartbeat.
• Diminished Overall Comfort: Impaired focus, decreased energy levels, and lower overall well-being.

 

4 Simple Ways to Protect Your Indoor Air Quality during Wildfire Season

Your HVAC system is your first line of defense against wildfire smoke—learn how to optimize it for cleaner indoor air.

Your HVAC system does more than keep you comfortable—it can purify the air inside your home during wildfires by filtering out dangerous pollutants.

How to Prepare Your HVAC System for Wildfire Season:

Regular HVAC maintenance is vital to ensure clean indoor air during wildfire season. Clean filters, sealed ductwork, and air purifiers can shield against hazardous air pollutants released during wildfires.

1. Upgrade to HEPA Filters

Standard filters don’t catch fine smoke particles or pollutants. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters capture 99.97% of particles—some as small as 0.3 microns!

2. Seal Your Ductwork

Prevent outdoor smoke from seeping inside by sealing leaks in your ducts. Have a professional inspect and seal any gaps to maintain a closed loop of clean air circulation.

3. Use Air Purifiers and Ventilation Systems

Air purifiers help remove wildfire smoke, dust, pollen, and other pollutants from your home’s air, making it easier to breathe—especially for those with allergies or respiratory issues. They work alongside your HVAC system to add an extra layer of protection. Portable air purifiers can filter the air in specific rooms, while a whole-home ventilator with a filtration system can bring in fresh air without letting in harmful particles.

4. Regular HVAC Maintenance

Schedule a professional HVAC tune-up to keep your system running smoothly. A technician will clean the system, check the filters, and make sure everything is working efficiently. Experts recommend yearly maintenance to help your HVAC and filters perform at their best.

 

Wildfire Emergency Preparedness: What You Need to Know

Wildfires can spread quickly. Stay ready with an evacuation plan, a clean indoor space, and essential supplies (CDC).

Wildfires can escalate quickly, so it’s important to be prepared. To protect yourself and your family from the dangers of wildfires and smoke, follow these steps:

Tips to Prepare Now

• Stay Informed: Regularly monitor local air quality reports and listen to public health advisories.
• Follow Medical Advice: If you have pre-existing health conditions, follow your healthcare provider’s guidance, as recommended by the CDC. Keep necessary medications on hand.
• Create a Wildfire Evacuation Plan:
  • Identify evacuation routes and shelters in your area.
  • Assign roles and ensure everyone in your household knows what to do during an evacuation.
  • Prepare a “go bag” with essential items, such as identification, medications, water, and a first-aid kit.

Tips to Protect Your Indoor Air Quality

• Optimize & Purify: Boost indoor air quality and shield your home from wildfire smoke and pollutants with these 4 simple steps: upgrade to HEPA filters, seal your ducts, use air purifiers and ventilation systems, and schedule regular HVAC maintenance.
• Avoid Adding to Indoor Pollution: Refrain from burning candles, using gas stoves, or smoking indoors, as these can worsen air quality.
• Limit Exposure: Remain indoors with windows and doors closed during periods of heavy smoke.
• Create a “Clean Room”: Designate a space in your home with minimal outdoor air infiltration and use a portable air cleaner.

 

Take Action: Protect Your Loved Ones from Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire season is unpredictable, but you can take steps to protect your indoor air. Upgrade your HVAC system, use air purifiers, and stay informed to keep your family safe.

California has already faced severe wildfires this year, and spring and summer are expected to bring even more wildfire risks. It’s critical to stay on top of protecting your home from smoke and pollutants; simple actions can make all the difference in maintaining clean, safe air inside your home.

Regularly check air quality reports, and when conditions worsen, keep your windows and doors closed. Upgrade to HEPA filters to trap particles, seal your HVAC ducts to prevent smoke from entering, and use air purifiers to enhance the air inside. A “clean room” can offer an extra layer of protection, giving you a space with minimal exposure to pollutants.

Don’t wait for the smoky skies—start your preparations today. By staying proactive, you’ll ensure a healthier home for your family during wildfire season. And if you need professional help with maintaining your HVAC system or upgrading to HEPA filters, we’re here for you.

Call us today to schedule your HVAC check-up and help keep your home safe during wildfire season!

 

Sources

American Lung Association. “Indoor Air.” Accessed February 3, 2025. https://www.lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air#:~:text=Indoor%20air%20can%20be%202,and%20other%20underlying%20health%20conditions.

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “How to Safely Stay Safe During a Wildfire.” Last modified September 16, 2021. Accessed February 3, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/wildfires/safety/how-to-safely-stay-safe-during-a-wildfire.html.

 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Protect Your Large Animals and Livestock from Wildfire Smoke. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, June 2021. Accessed February 3, 2025. https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2021-06/protect-your-large-animals-and-livestock-from-wildfire-smoke.pdf.

 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Protect Your Pets from Wildfire Smoke. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, June 2021. Accessed February 3, 2025. https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2021-06/protect-your-pets-from-wildfire-smoke.pdf.