In times of crisis, when wildfires rage and smoke fills the air, our communities are tested in unimaginable ways. The fear, uncertainty, and loss can feel overwhelming, and it’s during these moments that our strength and resilience become our greatest allies. To those directly impacted, our hearts go out to you. Your courage in the face of such devastation is nothing short of inspiring. To the firefighters, volunteers, and first responders risking their lives to protect homes and families—thank you. Unfortunately, the battle doesn't end when the fires are put out. Wildfire smoke can silently continue causing harm to health and wellness as it toxifies our indoor air quality. It's just not as apparent as those brightly lit flames.
As we navigate wildfires' challenges, it’s important to be informed, prepared, and united. Whether avoiding wildfire smoke or ensuring your home is a safe environment after the blaze, there are things you can do to protect yourself and your loved one’s health. In times like these, health and safety are what’s most important, even in the shadow of devastating loss.
With that in mind, here’s an abundance of information on how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke, why this is an important task to undertake, and how to return your home to a safe environment after the blaze.
The Growing Threat of Wildfires
In recent years, wildfires have become more frequent, more intense, and increasingly unpredictable. Climate change plays a significant role, contributing to longer dry seasons, higher temperatures, and drier vegetation—all of which create the perfect conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the area burned by wildfires in the United States has increased significantly over the past few decades, with devastating consequences for people, wildlife, and the environment.
California remains one of the hardest-hit regions, with wildfires becoming an almost year-round threat. The recent fires in Southern California serve as a stark reminder of how quickly these events can escalate. In a matter of hours, homes were evacuated, lives were uprooted, and flames consumed vast stretches of land. These events unfold with little warning, leaving residents with only minutes to act.
Understanding the growing prevalence of wildfires isn't just about statistics—it's about recognizing the real and immediate risks they pose. These events can impact your health, safety, and overall well-being, whether you're directly in a wildfire zone or downwind from the smoke. Smoke from wildfires can travel hundreds of miles, affecting air quality and posing serious health risks even to those far from the flames.
The Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke
Wildfire smoke isn’t just a hazy inconvenience—it’s a serious health concern. Whether you're close to the fire or miles away, the particles in wildfire smoke can pose significant risks to your health. The smoke is packed with harmful chemicals, including sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, benzene, and even tiny bits of metal. Breathing these in at high levels can be dangerous.
But the real issue comes down to the size of the particles in the smoke. These particles are so small that they can slip past your body’s natural defenses and go deep into your lungs—and some are even small enough to enter your bloodstream. The EPA categorizes these particles into two main types:
- PM10: Larger particles that are about 10 micrometers or less.
- PM2.5: Ultra-fine particles about 2.5 micrometers or smaller.
The smaller the particle, the bigger the health risk. According to the American Lung Association, breathing in these tiny particles can irritate your airways and cause symptoms like:
- Coughing
- Trouble breathing
- Watery eyes
- Scratchy throat
- Runny nose
- Sinus irritation
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
The effects can be much worse for people with existing health conditions, such as asthma or COPD. A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that even a small increase in wildfire smoke particles (10 µg/m³ of PM2.5) can lead to a 7.2% spike in emergency room visits for breathing problems.
Over time, repeated exposure to wildfire smoke can cause more lasting health issues, including reduced lung function and a higher risk of respiratory infections. Vulnerable groups, such as children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing conditions face the greatest risks.
It’s not just about the immediate discomfort either—it’s about the long-term effects that may not show up right away. Even if you’re not in the direct path of a wildfire, smoke can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles, putting people far from the flames at risk.
Understanding these health risks underscores the importance of taking wildfire smoke seriously. The good news is that you can take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from its powerful effects.
How to Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke
Protecting yourself from wildfire smoke starts with minimizing exposure. Here are key steps to help you and your family stay safe:
- Stay Indoors: When air quality is poor (AQI above 150), the best protection is for you and your loved ones to remain inside with windows and doors closed. This goes for pets as well.
- Wear an N95 Mask Outdoors: If you must go outside, wear a properly fitted N95 mask to reduce inhalation of fine particles.
- Limit Physical Activity Outdoors: Avoid high-cardio activities like running or strenuous exercise when air quality is poor.
- Medication and Inhalers: Those with respiratory conditions should always have medications or inhalers on hand.
- Cover Your Skin: If temperatures allow, wear long sleeves and pants to reduce skin exposure.
How Do You Know If the Air Quality Around You Is Poor?
Air quality is measured by analyzing the concentration of pollutants in the air, which can vary based on location, time of day, and environmental conditions. One of the most common ways to track air quality is through the Air Quality Index (AQI), which helps the public understand how polluted the air is and what health effects may result from exposure.
The AQI is a scale that ranges from 0 to 500, with higher values indicating worse air quality. The scale is divided into several categories, each representing a level of risk to health. These categories are:
- 0-50 (Good): Little or no risk.
- 51-100 (Moderate): Acceptable, with mild effects for sensitive individuals.
- 101-150 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups): Health effects for sensitive individuals.
- 151-200 (Unhealthy): Health effects for everyone.
- 201-300 (Very Unhealthy): Serious health effects for all.
- 301-500 (Hazardous): Emergency conditions, widespread health impacts.
Wildfires and Their Impact on AQI
With wildfires releasing all of those harmful pollutants, they can quickly and drastically cause the AQI to skyrocket. During wildfire events, high AQI levels (above 150) indicate dangerous air quality, making it important to stay indoors and take action to protect your indoor air.
Improving Your Indoor Air Quality
Improving indoor air quality is one of the best ways to protect your health from wildfire smoke if you are directed to remain inside.
If you’re in an evacuation area, close up your home, turn on air purifiers, and leave the area for your safety.
For those not in the line of fire (literally), you’ll spend lots of time inside to avoid the poor outdoor air, which brings up two major issues.
- Outdoor air pollution can enter a building, creating unwanted exposure. Modern building techniques geared toward energy efficiency mean that most of the pollution that enters will stay there until it is removed. This can lead to a hazardous bubble of sorts that is absolutely not beneficial to your health.
- Our indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air straight from the start without the wildfire smoke. It’s important to focus on creating safer air every day, especially with a source of pollution outside that can actively add to the pollution levels indoors. This is yet another layer to the toxic bubble effect.
Taking steps to improve your indoor air quality will help you breathe easier while wildfire smoke unfurls around your home and in the future after the fires have been put out.
Here are some tips to get you started on safeguarding your indoor air:
Keep Windows and Doors Closed
Keeping your windows and doors closed helps prevent wildfire smoke from entering your home and protects your lungs and body from fine particulate matter that can trigger a broad range of symptoms.
Use Air Purifiers
Run air purifiers the entire time wildfire smoke is in the air. These machines are built to eliminate particles from the air so that they don’t settle on surfaces throughout the home and into your lungs.
When choosing an air purifier, ensure it meets HEPA standards to capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, effectively removing harmful particles that come with wildfire smoke. That being said, if it can eliminate even smaller particles, that’s ideal.
Air purifiers with carbon filters are especially beneficial for wildfire smoke. They capture gases like VOCs, which contribute to poor air quality. By filtering both particles and gases, these purifiers provide an essential layer of protection for your home, helping to safeguard against the harmful effects of wildfire smoke and other airborne contaminants.
I suggest Intellipure products as they eliminate up to 99.99% of particles as small as 0.007 microns.
Change HVAC Filters Regularly
Your HVAC system can help you filter out smoke particles, but it only works well if the filters are clean. Otherwise, they’ll blow right back into your air. To ensure better filtration, choose high-rated MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) filters, ideally MERV 13 or higher. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for their recommendations.
Replace them regularly—especially during wildfire season—to maintain proper airflow and air quality in your home. If you're unsure when to change your filter, setting a reminder every 1-3 months is a good rule of thumb. Check the filters to see how often they need to be replaced, as the MERV rating varies.
Avoid Burning Candles or Aerosols
While candles or aerosol sprays may make your home feel cozy or smell nice, they can also add to the pollution already present. Candles can release particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that worsen air quality, and aerosols may have similar effects. When wildfire smoke is heavy, the goal is to improve the air around your home and avoid anything that can add contamination.
Recirculate Indoor Air
Most HVAC systems have a "recirculate" option, which prevents outside air from being drawn into the home. When wildfire smoke is in the air, set your system to recirculate air within the home instead of drawing in smoky outdoor air. This helps maintain a cleaner indoor environment while keeping your system efficient. Remember to close the intake if it's a fresh-air system.
Monitor Indoor Air Quality
It’s helpful to track how well your efforts are working. Air quality monitors are phenomenal tools that can alert you to changes in indoor air quality, especially if wildfire smoke is seeping in despite your best efforts. Many monitors can measure particulate matter (PM2.5), a major concern during wildfires. By keeping an eye on these levels, you can make adjustments to your air purifiers or ventilation system to ensure your home remains a safe place for you and your family.
Seal Gaps and Cracks
Wildfire smoke can sneak into your home through the smallest gaps—around windows, doors, or vents. Sealing these cracks with weatherstripping or caulk can help create a tighter barrier, reducing the amount of smoke that enters your living space.
Create a Clean Room
If you're dealing with heavy smoke and are particularly sensitive, designate one room in your house as a "clean room." Choose a room with minimal windows, and place your best air purifier there. Make this your go-to space for sleeping, working, or relaxing to limit your exposure to the polluted air in other areas of your home.
Take Care of Your Health
Protecting indoor air quality is vital, but it’s also important to take care of your respiratory health. Stay hydrated to help your body cope with smoke exposure. If you have any respiratory conditions, keep your medications handy and follow your doctor’s advice. If you notice any symptoms like coughing, sore throat, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention ASAP.
Additional Suggestions for Future Protection
If you live in an area prone to wildfires or want extra protection, consider investing in a whole-home air purifier. These systems work with your HVAC system to purify the air throughout your entire home. Not only do they filter out smoke particles, but they also help remove allergens, dust, and other pollutants. This investment can provide peace of mind, knowing that your family is breathing cleaner air, even when outdoor conditions are less than ideal.
What to Do After the Fires: No Fire Damage
After a wildfire, the air may begin to clear outside, but the smoke and pollutants that enter your home can remain for days, weeks, or even longer. These particles can settle into dust, carpets, furniture, and surfaces, creating hidden sources of pollution that impact your indoor air quality. Your main goal will be to eliminate these particles from your home as much as possible. This will involve a deep cleaning of your home, followed by routine cleaning afterward.
Here are steps you can take after the fires to clean your home and ensure a healthier environment for you and your family:
Vacuum with a HEPA Filter
Wildfire smoke particles are incredibly fine, so it’s essential to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. While other machines will filter out the majority of smaller particles, they can’t stop some ultra-fine and microscopic particles like the ones that come with wildfire smoke. The technology behind HEPA filters allows them to filter out and remove smaller particles instead of just blowing them back into the surrounding environment. To reach the EPA standard and be qualified as a HEPA filter, they must filter out 99.7% of particles that pass through that are 0.3 microns in size.
After a fire, vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery regularly to remove as much of the smoke residue as possible. If you don’t already have a HEPA vacuum, consider investing in one, especially if you live in a wildfire-prone area. Be sure it’s a closed system machine to avoid reintroducing particles into the air.
Wipe Surfaces with a Damp Microfiber Cloth
Smoky residues can accumulate on hard surfaces like shelves, countertops, tables, and even your walls. To effectively remove them, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe these areas down. A dry cloth can stir up particles and make things worse, so always dampen the cloth first.
Focus on high-traffic areas such as doorknobs, light switches, and counters where smoke particles may linger, and then move to more out-of-sight areas like behind appliances, doorframes, walls, AC return vents, and behind appliances. Basically, any space you can reach needs a wipedown. This simple task can help reduce the overall pollution in your home and make it feel cleaner.
It’s also great to use Benefect Atomic Degreaser to eliminate soot and other particles on surfaces whenever possible– use the microfiber cloths for this as well.
Wash Curtains and Upholstery
Due to their porous nature, curtains, drapes, and upholstered furniture can absorb a lot of smoke particles. After a wildfire, wash or dry clean your curtains and any removable fabric covers with a botanical laundry additive like EC3. This additive uses botanical ingredients to help pull particles from the fabric's surface so they can be washed away.
For upholstery, vacuum it thoroughly using a HEPA machine, and if possible, hire a professional cleaner to deep-clean these items.
Change Bed Linens Frequently
Smoke particles can easily settle into bedding and linens. You spend a large portion of your life on this surface breathing in air, so it’s important to keep these surfaces clean. Change sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and other bedding frequently during and after a wildfire event. For an extra layer of protection, use a botanical laundry additive like EC3 when washing these items to help eliminate harmful particles. You may also want to wash comforters, duvet covers, and other heavy bedding that may have trapped smoke.
Deodorize Your Air Ducts and Vents:
Even after the fire has subsided, smoke particles can continue to circulate through your home if it has settled in your air ducts and vents. Consider having your HVAC system inspected, cleaned, and deogorized by a professional. This can help prevent smoke from being recirculated every time your air system turns on.
In the meantime, change the filters in your HVAC system and set the system to "recirculate" air instead of drawing in outdoor air, which may still contain smoke particles.
What to Do After the Fires If You Experienced Fire Damage
Wildfire smoke can create intense particle pollution, and if your home has been severely impacted, it will need thorough cleaning and decontamination to ensure it’s safe for your family. The level of damage often depends on your proximity to the fire.
Do any cleanup, use personal protective equipment to safeguard your health during the process.
If there’s residual smoke pollution, start by cleaning the entire house. Follow the steps above for a solid foundational start. Every surface needs to be cleaned, so get ready for a process. You’ll also want to change out the HVAC filters. Consider hiring an adjuster beforehand to assess the damage and determine if a simple clean and wipe process followed by a paint job is enough or if more extensive repairs are needed.
To tackle the smoke damage, use a specialized degreaser, and your insurance company will typically provide funds for a smoke-inhibiting product, which can help seal in the odor. Sentinel offers effective solutions for this purpose.
If the damage to the structure is more severe, it’s best to work closely with your insurance company and rebuilding professionals to ensure proper restoration. The wet material will need to be removed to avoid mold. Demolition should only be considered if the damage is significant and the smoke odor won’t go away.
If you have questions on how to properly deal with cleaning, services, or restoration, contact HomeCleanse for a consultation. We’ll get you started on the right path to create a safe home again.
You can find a more in-depth information on what to expect from a cleanup at the end of this blog.
Remaining Safe
Wildfires have a way of showing us just how precious life is. The challenges we face during these events are tough but also reveal something incredible—the strength and unity that arise when we come together. From the bravery of those directly affected to the dedication of first responders and the kindness of neighbors, it’s clear that even in the darkest times, hope has a way of shining through.
While wildfires may be an increasing threat, we can reduce their impact with awareness, preparation, and support from one another. Hopefully, this blog helps you create a safer home environment to protect your and your family's health.
Looking ahead, let’s continue to build resilience in our communities, push for sustainable practices, and always be there for each other. We can face the challenges ahead not just as survivors but as a united force. Remember, we’re stronger when we come together. By sharing knowledge and supporting each other, we’ll find the courage to navigate these times with hope.
IICRC S740 Restoration Standards for Fire and Smoke
At the time of this writing, IICRC S740 (the standard for professional fire and smoke damage restoration) is still under development or in draft form. As such, the final, published language and specific details may vary once it’s officially released. However, industry professionals anticipate that S740 will follow a structured approach similar to other IICRC standards (like S500 for water and S520 for mold), emphasizing safety, thorough assessment, and effective remediation techniques.
Below is a generalized outline of the steps typically included (or likely to be included) in S740 based on industry best practices and the IICRC’s standard-setting patterns. This is not an exact copy of any copyrighted text, but rather a high-level overview of the process you can expect:
Health and Safety
- Site Assessment: Evaluate structural integrity, potential hazards (electrical, chemical residues, compromised materials), and indoor air quality.
- Protective Measures: Ensure the use of appropriate PPE (N95 masks or respirators, gloves, eye protection), and set up controls to protect occupants and workers (e.g., signage, restricted access).
Preliminary Inspection & Scope of Work
- Identify Impacted Areas: Inspect surfaces, contents, and building materials for smoke residue, soot, and fire-related damage.
- Assess Severity: Determine the type of smoke (wet smoke, dry smoke, protein fire residue, fuel oil soot), extent of odor, and damage level.
- Documentation: Take photos, measurements, and notes; create an initial plan for cleaning, deodorizing, and restoring affected areas.
Containment & Ventilation
- Containment Setup: Install temporary barriers or negative air pressure systems to prevent cross-contamination of unaffected areas.
- Ventilation: Use air scrubbers or HEPA-filtered fans to control airborne particulates and odors.
- Removal of Soot and Residues
- Dry Soot Removal: HEPA vacuum or wipe down surfaces to remove loose soot before introducing liquids.
- Wet Cleaning: Depending on the type of soot and the surface, use specialized detergents, solvents, or foam cleaning agents.
- Structural & Content Cleaning: Clean framing, drywall, carpets, upholstery, and other belongings, using appropriate techniques for each material.
Odor Control & Deodorization
- Source Removal: Physically remove burnt or charred materials that continue to emit odors.
- Odor Neutralizing Treatments: Techniques may include thermal fogging, ozone treatment, hydroxyl generators, or odor-counteractant chemicals.
- HVAC System Cleaning: Thoroughly clean ductwork, coils, and filters to prevent circulation of smoke particles or odors.
Post-Cleanup Evaluation
- Inspection & Verification: Visually inspect for residual soot or odor. Use instrumentation (e.g., particulate counters) as needed.
- Additional Treatments: If odors persist or testing indicates remaining residues, repeat or adjust the remediation steps.
- Documentation & Sign-Off: Ensure all work is documented, and the client or third-party assessor reviews and approves the completed cleanup.
Restoration & Reconstruction
- Minor Repairs: Replace damaged drywall, repaint walls, install new flooring, etc.
- Major Restoration: In cases of extensive fire or smoke damage, structural repairs may be necessary (framing, roofing, etc.).
- Final Clearance: Confirm that the property is now safe, with no lingering smoke residue or odors.
Ongoing Recommendations
- HVAC Maintenance: Replace or clean air filters regularly and consider periodic HVAC inspections.
- Monitoring & Prevention: Recommend smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and clear household procedures for potential future incidents.
- Documentation: Provide the property owner with a summary of work performed and tips for maintaining good indoor air quality.
A Note
While IICRC S740 has not been universally published or finalized in the same way as S500 (water) and S520 (mold), the industry anticipates that it will offer a similar, systematic approach to fire and smoke damage remediation—covering health and safety measures, thorough inspection, containment, removal of contaminants, deodorization, post-cleanup verification, and restoration.
Until S740 is fully adopted, most professionals use existing IICRC guidance, industry best practices, and experience to ensure safe and effective smoke damage cleanup. If you’re seeking an exact protocol, watch for final publication updates from the IICRC or work with a reputable restoration firm following established best practices.
