Office of Communications

Wildfire Safety

Millions of people living in California are impacted by wildfires and wildfire smoke every year. During a wildfire event, always protect yourself and your loved ones. If you are ordered to evacuate your home or the area, do so immediately.

Wildfire smoke contains many air pollutants that can trigger respiratory (lung) problems and asthma. Those most at risk include older adults, pregnant women, children, first responders and people with chronic respiratory and heart conditions.

The messages below include tips, such as staying indoors when a wildfire creates smoke in your area, how N95 masks can help protect from wildfire smoke, and what items to grab if you must quickly evacuate.

For complete information about wildfire safety, please visit our wildfire safety page.

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Wildfire Smoke Inhalation & Air Quality

Who is at higher risk of getting sick from wildfire smoke?

People with chronic conditions like: asthma, COPD, diabetes, Kidney disease, heart disease

Suggested Messaging:

Wildfire smoke can make anyone sick, but some people are at higher risk. Take steps to reduce breathing in air pollutants, especially during and after a wildfire:

Check the air quality and sign up for updates
If the air quality is bad, stay inside as much as possible and close all windows, doors and vents
Change settings on your A/C unit to re-circulate, close outdoor air intakes and/or run an air purifier
If you have to go outside, wear an N95 or P100 mask.

Learn more: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Smoke-Ash-Safety.aspx

X:
Wildfire smoke can make anyone sick, but some people have a higher risk. Take precautions:

Monitor air quality
Close windows, doors & vents
Set A/C unit to re-circulate, close outdoor air intakes and/or run an air purifier
Wear an N95 or P100 if you must go outside

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Smoke-Ash-Safety.aspx

Suggested Messaging:

Protect yourself and your loved ones from wildfire smoke and ash, which can cause persistent cough, runny nose, phlegm, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Take steps to reduce breathing in air pollutants:

Check the air quality and sign up for updates
If the air quality is bad, stay inside as much as possible and close all windows, doors and vents
Change settings on your A/C unit to re-circulate, close outdoor air intakes and/or run an air purifier

Learn more ways to protect yourself from smoke and ash during wildfires: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Smoke-Ash-Safety.aspx

X:
Wildfires release harmful smoke & ash into the air. Take steps to reduce breathing in air pollutants during and after a wildfire:

Monitor air quality
Close windows, doors & vents
Set A/C unit to re-circulate, close outdoor air intakes and/or run an air purifier

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Smoke-Ash-Safety.aspx

Smoke and ash from wildfires can affect breathing.

Suggested Messaging:

Smoke and ash from wildfires can affect how you breathe, especially for those with breathing problems. If you or anyone in your family has asthma or another lung disease, keep at least a 7-day supply of medication on hand and call a health care provider if nearby wildfires worsen breathing issues.

Learn more about wildfire smoke and chronic conditions: https://www.cdc.gov/wildfires/risk-factors/wildfire-smoke-and-people-with-chronic-conditions.html

If you or a family member has asthma or another lung disease, keep at least a 7-day supply of medication on hand and call a health care provider if nearby wildfires worsen breathing issues.

Learn more about wildfire smoke and chronic conditions: https://www.cdc.gov/wildfires/risk-factors/wildfire-smoke-and-people-with-chronic-conditions.html

Eye and respiratory irritation, reduced lung function

Suggested Messaging:

Wildfire smoke and ash can irritate your eyes and make it hard to breathe. If you are near a wildfire or wildfire smoke, stay indoors and reduce outdoor activity. Wear an N95 or P100 mask if you must go outdoors. Learn more: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Smoke-Ash-Safety.aspx

Suggested Messaging:

Smoke from wildfires can cause eye and respiratory (lung) issues. Use an N95 or P100 mask to filter out pollutants and support your breathing in areas with poor air quality. Find your location’s current air quality at www.airnow.gov and learn how to protect your health from wildfire smoke at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire Pages/Smoke-Ash-Safety.aspx

N95 masks What are they and what do they do? An N95 respirator is a filter mask that fits over the nose and mouth. When properly fitted, it can filter 95% of smoke particles.

Suggested Messaging:

If you are near a wildfire the best way to avoid smoke inhalation is to stay inside. If you must go outside in smoky conditions, use an N95 respirator mask. For more information on masks go to: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Wildfires--.aspx

N95 Masks. What do they protect against? Dust, fumes, mists, aerosols, and smoke particulates, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, viruses, animal dander and allergens.

Suggested Messaging:

N95 masks can filter out pollutants, including smoke from wildfires, and make breathing safer. For more information on masks and wildfire safety go to: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Wildfires--.aspx

Wildfire Safety & Preparedness

Protect yourself and your loved one this wildfire season

Suggested Messaging:

During a wildfire event, the priority is to protect yourself and your loved ones! If you are ordered to evacuate your home or the area, do so immediately. All else is secondary.

Learn more: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Wildfires--.aspx

Suggested Messaging:

When a wildfire is threatening your area, be sure to:

Monitor local area radio or television stations for the latest wildfire information.
Be prepared to evacuate on a moment’s notice.
Make sure you have an emergency kit, complete with medications, copies of prescriptions and medical supplies.
Arrange to stay with family or friends outside the threatened area or locate nearby shelters.

Learn more at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Wildfires--.aspx

Suggested Messaging:

If you’re ordered to evacuate, always do so immediately! The “Ps of Preparedness” and having a plan can help you get ready if an evacuation order comes. Here’s a list of things to remember when preparing for a wildfire evacuation:

People (help children, older adults and people with disabilities)
Pets
Papers (important documents)
Phones
Prescriptions (and glasses)
Pictures
PCs (for the information stored)
Plastic (credit cards and cash)

Learn more: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Wildfires--.aspx

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If you’re ordered to evacuate, do so immediately! The “Ps of Preparedness” can help you remember what to gather if a wildfire threatens your area.
Learn more: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Wildfires--.aspx

Wildfire season is here. Plan ahead, don't wait!

Suggested Messaging:

Wildfire season is here—are you ready? Plan ahead so you can react quickly if needed. Be ready to go with:

3-day emergency kit with essential items (food, water, records, medication) for each family member and pet
N95 masks
Evacuation plans

Get information on the best ways to prepare for wildfires at:

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Wildfires-.aspx

Spanish

Wildfire Smoke Inhalation & Air Quality

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Protege a tus amigos y familiares del humo de los incendios forestales

Suggested Messaging in Spanish:

Protégete y protege a tus seres queridos del humo de los incendios forestales. Los que corren mayor riesgo son los adultos mayores, las personas embarazadas y aquellas con condiciones respiratorias y cardíacas crónicas. Los niños también corren un mayor riesgo ya que respiran más aire por libra de peso corporal que los adultos, y el humo de los incendios forestales puede irritar sus pulmones aún en desarrollo.

Obtén más información sobre las precauciones que puedes tomar para proteger a tu familia del humo y las cenizas de los incendios forestales en: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Smoke-Ash-Safety.aspx

QUÉDATE ADENTRO Inscríbete para recibir notificaciones

Suggested Messaging in Spanish:

Los incendios forestales pueden producir cenizas en el aire, lo que puede causar tos persistente, secreción nasal, flema, sibilancias y dificultad para respirar. Toma medidas para reducir los contaminantes del aire en tu hogar.

Quédate adentro tanto como sea posible y cierra todas las ventanas, puertas y rejillas de ventilación.
Controla la calidad del aire y regístrate para recibir notificaciones.
Cambia la configuración de tu unidad de aire acondicionado a recircular, cierra las entradas de aire exteriores y / o prende un purificador de aire.

Si necesitas salir, usa una mascarilla N95, KN95 o KF94. Obtén más información sobre cómo puedes protegerte del humo y las cenizas durante los incendios forestales en: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Smoke-Ash-Safety.aspx

El HUMO de los incendios forestales puede afectar la respiración.

Suggested Messaging in Spanish:

El humo de los incendios forestales puede afectar la forma en que respiras, especialmente a aquellos con problemas respiratorios. Si tú o tu hijo tienen asma u otra enfermedad pulmonar, ten a mano un suministro de medicamentos para siete días y llama a un proveedor de atención médica si los incendios forestales cercanos empeoran los problemas respiratorios. https://www.cdc.gov/air/wildfire-smoke/chronic-conditions.htm#asthma