Smoke From Wildfires - Toolkit

COVID-19 and Wildfire Smoke

There is concern about health impacts of wildfire smoke overlapping with COVID-19 because both impact the respiratory and immune system. COVID-19 recommendations may conflict with how we can reduce our exposure to wildfire smoke.

For public health and air quality officials: Guidance for Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19 (PDF). This guidance is intended to help respond to wildfire smoke events during the pandemic.

Stay up to date on the current COVID-19 situation in Washington.

Below are technical guidance and risk communication resources for public health, air quality, and other officials to use during a wildfire smoke response. Many of these tools were created with input from partners across the state, including the Wildfire Smoke Impacts Advisory Group (PDF). This interagency group was formed in 2018 to develop and improve evidence-based health guidance and achieve more consistent health messaging across agencies.

Health Resources

Washington Air Quality Guide for Particle Pollution: English / Spanish / Arabic / Chinese Simplified / Chinese Traditional / Korean / Punjabi / Russian / Somali / Tagalog / Ukrainian / Vietnamese

Washington Air Quality Guide for School Child Care Activities: English / Spanish

Washington Guide for Public Health Actions for Wildfire Smoke: English

Wildfire Smoke Guidance for Canceling Outdoor Events or Activities and Closing Schools: English

  • Summary Wildfire Smoke Guidance for Cancelling Outdoor Public Events or Activities: English
  • Summary Wildfire Smoke Guidance for Closing Schools: English

Recommendations for Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19: English

Washington State CEMP ESF 8 Attachment 1 to Appendix 5 – Wildfire Response – Severe Smoke Episodes:

Smoke from fires can be dangerous flyers:

Face mask fact sheet: English / Spanish

Know the Symptoms flyer: Spanish | Arabic | Chinese | Korean | Punjabi | Russian | Somali | Tagalog | Ukrainian | Vietnamese

Smoke From Fires Webpage in Other Languages

화재 연기 (Korean)

Дым от пожаров (Russian)

Qiiqa Ka imaanayo Dabka (Somali)

Usok Mula Sa Apoy (Tagalog)

Дим від пожеж (Ukrainian)

Khói Từ Các Đám Cháy (Vietnamese)

燃烧烟雾 (Chinese)

Additional Resources on Wildfires and Smoke

WA Smoke Blog Website: English | Spanish This site provides a wide range of timely information, including wildfire status updates, air quality conditions and forecasts, and health information.

WA Labor & Industries Wildfire Smoke website: English For information on wildfire smoke and outdoor worker safety, including workplace requirements and policies.