Breathing in smoke is not good for anyone. Everyone should take steps to reduce exposure and watch for symptoms during and after smoke events.
Exposure to smoke from fires can cause or worsen several health problems that range from minor to severe. As the smoke levels increase the impacts can worsen and become severe, especially for people sensitive to smoke - see below. Anyone can have symptoms or health problems.
Some symptoms include:
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation (burning eyes, runny nose, coughing).
- Fatigue.
- Headache.
- Wheezing and shortness of breath.
- Increased symptoms from existing conditions, particularly lung and heart diseases (asthma attacks, chest pain, irregular heartbeat).
- Mental health concerns and stress.
Seek medical attention if you experience severe symptoms, such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, during wildfire smoke events and in the week after.
People Especially Sensitive to Smoke
As the smoke levels increase the impacts can worsen and become severe, especially for sensitive groups. Many people are at increased risk of severe health impacts, including:
- People with lung diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.
- People with current or recent respiratory infections, such as COVID-19, pneumonia, acute bronchitis, bronchiolitis, colds, or flu.
- People with existing heart or circulatory problems, such as congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease.
- People with a history of heart attack or stroke.
- People with diabetes because they are more likely to have an undiagnosed cardiovascular disease.
- People 18 years old and younger because their lungs and airways are still developing, and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults.
- People 65 years old and older because they are more likely to have unrecognized heart or lung diseases.
- Pregnant people because both the pregnant person and fetus are at increased risk of health effects.
- People with access and functional needs who may need additional assistance due to any condition that may limit their ability to act in an emergency.
- People who smoke or have a history of smoking because they are more likely to already have lower lung function and/or lung diseases.
- People who work outdoors because they often spend more time outside and may be exposed to smoke longer.
- Communities of color because they have often experienced social and economic inequities which contribute to increased risk of negative health impacts from smoke.
- Tribal members and Indigenous peoples because they are often impacted first and worst from climate change hazards, including smoke.
- People with low income because they may be less likely to have access to health care or to be able to afford interventions to reduce exposure.
- People who are unhoused or unsheltered because more time outside can increase exposure to smoke and they may not have access to social and health services.
Additional Resources