Wildfire season is here — and even if the flames are far away, the smoke can travel hundreds of miles and leak indoors. Smoke contains fine particles that can harm your lungs, worsen asthma, and make the air inside unhealthy to breathe — even when you can’t see it.
With your portable air purifier and a few simple steps, you can keep your home’s air cleaner and safer all season long.
🏡 Keep Your Indoor Air Clean When Smoke is in the Air
✅ Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible to prevent smoke from entering.
✅ Run your air purifier continuously in the room where you spend the most time, like your bedroom or living room.
✅ Replace the filter in your air purifier as recommended to keep it working effectively.
✅ Make sure your HVAC filter is in good condition, the right size for your filter slot, and replaced regularly. Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency filter (like a MERV11 or higher).
✅ If needed, designate one room in your home as your “clean air room” to further reduce exposure to smoke while staying inside. (Learn more → How to Create a Clean Room.)
📈 Monitor Outdoor Air Quality
Before you open a window or go outside, check the air quality. If the air is rated Unhealthy, limit your time outdoors and avoid vigorous activity.
- Utah DAQ Air Quality Forecast — local forecasts and alerts.
- EPA’s Fire & Smoke Map — real-time smoke and air quality conditions
🔒 Seal Your Home Against Smoke
✅ Avoid opening windows and doors as much as possible during smoke events.
✅ Use weather stripping and door sweeps to seal gaps around doors and windows.
✅ Minimize use of swamp coolers if possible, which bring outdoor air inside without filtering it.
✅ Close fresh air intake vents if possible and switch your HVAC to “recirculate” mode.
✅ Clean surfaces regularly to remove settling smoke particles.
😷 When You Must Go Outside, Wear Protection
If you need to be outdoors during smoky conditions, wear a well-fitting N95 or KN95 mask to help filter out fine particles. (Cloth masks or bandanas do not protect against smoke.)
👨👩👧👦 Protecting Vulnerable Family Members & Pets
Some people — and pets — are especially sensitive to wildfire smoke, including:
🐕 Pets (especially birds, cats, and dogs with respiratory conditions)
👶 Children
👵 Older adults
💙 People with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions
Tips:
✅ Keep vulnerable family members and pets indoors as much as possible when air quality is poor.
✅ Avoid outdoor exercise for pets and kids during smoke events.
✅ If your pet shows signs of respiratory distress (coughing, trouble breathing), contact a veterinarian.
🔍 Want to Learn More? Explore these accessible, trusted reads:
📖 EPA: Wildfires, Smoke, and Indoor Air Quality
📖 Clean Air Crew: Respirators for Wildfire Smoke
📖 Ready.gov: Build an Emergency Kit
📖 American Lung Association: Wildfire Smoke & Lung Health
📖 DIY Corsi-Rosenthal Box Guide
📖 National Park Service: Wildfire Information & Preparedness
🌟 Stay Safe & Breathe Easier
We hope these tips help you and your household stay healthy during wildfire season.
If you have questions about using your air purifier or improving your indoor air, don’t hesitate to reach out. 📬 Reply to this email or contact us at cleanairslc@slc.gov.
Missed the previous Indoor Air Quality newsletters? Read them here!
-The Clean Air SLC Team