How Wildfire Smoke Can Affect Your Health

Even if you’re not in the direct path of the fire, the effects of wildfire smoke inhalation can cause major problems.

Wildfires have caused tragic destruction along the West Coast in recent years, but when it comes to these blazes, it’s not just the flames themselves you need to worry about. Smoke from the fire can travel over long distances and harm your health when you breathe it in. If there have been wildfires in your region, here’s what it can do to your body and how you can protect yourself from the dangers of lingering smoke.

Why is wildfire smoke so dangerous?

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the most dangerous part of wildfire smoke is the microscopic fine particles that can get deep into your lungs.

And that’s not all. “Wildfire smoke is more toxic than typical air pollution because it contains smaller particles that have more components that increase inflammation,” says Santhi Kumar, MD, a pulmonary and critical care medicine specialist with Keck Medicine of USC. “When wildfires impact urban environments, like what happened in the Los Angeles wildfires in 2025, the air quality can become even more toxic because of the combusion of synthetic materials, plastics, batteries and other manufactured products.”

Even healthy people can feel the effects of smoky air. You could experience respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or a sore throat from wildfire smoke. Other symptoms may include stinging eyes, a runny nose, tiredness or a headache.

Although the long-term health effects of these symptoms are still being researched, the increasing prevalence of wildfires every year means that more people will be exposed more frequently. Seasonally, research has shown that exposure to wildfire smoke is linked with an increased risk of getting the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Who’s more at risk from wildfire smoke?

Wildfire smoke can make certain conditions worse, such as lung issues like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“People who have a history of lung problems, like those with asthma and COPD, have a higher risk of having flare-ups, or exacerbations, after being exposed to smoke,” Dr. Kumar says. “This may mean they will need to take additional medications to support their lung health.”

If you’re having respiratory difficulties that aren’t manageable, seek medical care.

In addition, people with heart disease or cardiovascular conditions may also be more likely to experience chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath or fatigue because of wildfire smoke. People with diabetes may also be more at risk, because they often have an underlying heart condition.

Since older people are more likely to have lung or heart issues, they’re more likely to have symptoms from wildfire smoke. Children (whose lungs are still growing) and pregnant women may be more at risk, as well.

How can I protect myself against wildfire smoke?

There are several things you can do to limit the harmful effects of wildfire smoke:

• Stay inside. Staying indoors when the air quality is particularly bad, with the windows closed, minimizes the risk of developing lung problems, Dr. Kumar says.
• Wear a mask. If going outdoors is necessary, Dr. Kumar recommends wearing a protective mask — even a cloth mask — around both the mouth and nose. N95 masks are more effective against smoke, but they have limitations protecting against toxic gases, she notes. Some people, especially those with underlying breathing problems, may have difficulty breathing in these masks.
• Improve your indoor air quality. Dr. Kumar advises closing windows and doors when you’re indoors. “Filtering air in your home with high-efficiency air conditioning filters or portable HEPA filters can improve your indoor air quality. And keep the filters running in the rooms where you spend most of your time.”
• Take other precautions inside, too. If your area is affected by wildfire smoke, the EPA says you should avoid doing anything that will make your indoor air quality worse. Even cooking — particularly frying, broiling or using a gas stove — can do this. Don’t dust or vacuum, don’t light a fire in the fireplace or use a candle. And of course, don’t smoke.
• Check the official U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI). Even if smoke isn’t visible, if there have been recent wildfires, it’s a good idea to check your local air quality by putting in your zip code or city to see if your area is affected. Also, heed any public health warnings and advisories about air quality where you live.

Topics