Staying Healthy During California Wildfire Season

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Staying Healthy During California Wildfire Season

Staying Healthy During California Wildfire Season

Estimated read time: 7 minutes

TL;DR: Check the Air Quality Index (AQI), set up a “clean room” with a HEPA air purifier, upgrade home filters (MERV-13+), and avoid adding indoor pollution. Wear a well-fitting N95/KN95 if you must go outside. Sensitive groups (kids, older adults, pregnant, asthma/COPD/heart disease) should limit outdoor time when AQI >100; most people should stay indoors and use filtration when AQI >150. Use SendClinic telehealth for symptom guidance, inhaler refills, and action plans; use urgent/emergency care for red-flags.

Know your tools

Air quality apps/maps: Check local AQI and smoke forecasts several times a day.
AQI categories at a glance:
0–50 Good · 51–100 Moderate · 101–150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups · 151–200 Unhealthy · 201–300 Very Unhealthy · 301+ Hazardous.

Prep your home air (before smoke arrives)

Pick a “clean room.” Close windows/doors; run a HEPA air cleaner sized for the room. Keep this space free of smoke-making activities (cooking, candles, vacuuming).
HVAC settings: If you have central air, run the fan ON (not Auto) during smoke events and use the best filter your system allows (aim for MERV-13+ where compatible).
DIY box-fan filters: Can help in a pinch; don’t leave them unattended.
Car tips: When driving through smoke, set recirculate and keep windows closed.

What to do on smoky days

Check AQI morning, midday, evening. Smoke shifts fast.
Adjust activity by AQI:
- >100 (USG): Sensitive groups minimize outdoor time; move workouts indoors/low-exertion.
- >150 (Unhealthy): Most people stay indoors; use your clean room/HEPA.
- >200: Avoid outdoor activity; keep indoor air as clean as possible.
Mask up if you must go out. Wear a well-fitting N95/KN95/P100 that seals well (not for children under 2).
Avoid adding indoor pollution: Skip candles, incense, fireplaces; delay frying/broiling; avoid aerosol sprays; don’t vacuum unless your vacuum has HEPA.
Eyes/throat care: Use lubricating eye drops and saline nasal rinses as needed; drink fluids.

Who’s most at risk (act early)

Children, older adults, pregnant people
Anyone with asthma, COPD, heart disease, or other lung/heart conditions

These groups should keep medications handy, follow action plans, and prioritize indoor clean air when AQI rises.

Symptom guide: telehealth vs. in-person

Great for telehealth (SendClinic)

Cough, throat irritation, burning eyes, mild chest tightness
Asthma/COPD tune-ups: action plan updates, inhaler/spacer technique, refills
Deciding on activity limits for kids or athletes; work/school notes

Red flags → urgent care/ER

Trouble breathing, chest pain/pressure, bluish lips/face
Severe dizziness, confusion, fainting
Worsening asthma despite reliever, or needing reliever again within minutes
Oxygen saturation falling if you check at home

(If evacuation is ordered, follow immediately.)

Travel & evacuation readiness

Sign up for local alerts and know your evacuation routes.
Keep a Go Bag with: medications, copies of prescriptions, inhalers/spacers, chargers, masks (N95/KN95), eye drops, saline, water, snacks, key documents, and a list of allergies/conditions.

A simple smoke-day checklist

Check AQI and forecast.
Move to your clean room; run HEPA and HVAC fan ON.
Switch workouts to indoors; reschedule outdoor events if AQI >150.
If going out, wear a well-fitting N95/KN95; keep trips short.
Hydrate; use saline rinses/eye drops if irritated.
Check on neighbors who are older, pregnant, or have lung/heart disease.
If symptoms escalate, book telehealth or seek urgent care per the red-flags list.

How SendClinic can help

Same-day video visits for smoke-related symptoms
Asthma/COPD action plans, inhaler technique checks, and refills
Guidance on clean-room setup, masks, and family activity limits
Follow-up if you’re not improving or need to escalate care

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Educational content only. This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always follow local emergency orders and your clinician’s guidance.