It's wildfire season. How smoke, poor air quality can impact health — even for people who live far away

Korin Miller
·Freelance health reporter
Updated ·5-min read
Experts explain why wildfires — such as the Line Fire in California — can have negative health effects, even for those living in hundreds of miles away.
Experts explain why wildfires — such as the Line Fire in California — can have negative health effects, even for those living in hundreds of miles away. (Eric Thayer/AP)

Three major California wildfires are raging right now, with the Airport, Bridge and Line fires burning more than 115,000 acres of land this month. Canada has also been struggling with wildfire season, with fires in several western provinces.

But while these wildfires create unhealthy air conditions for people who live in surrounding areas, that smoke and particulate matter can drift, affecting those who live thousands of miles away. Currently, the National Weather Service is warning residents who live around the Great Lakes of wafting wildfire smoke, which can create a “campfire smell” in the air, dim the sun and spark air-quality issues.

If you live in an area that’s dealing with wildfire smoke, it’s understandable to have questions about how to stay safe — as well as how much of an effect that smoke can have on your health. Here’s what doctors want you to know.

Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gases and fine particulate matter created from burning vegetation and structures, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Different potentially hazardous compounds are released in the smoke, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, particulate matter (PM), benzene, acrolein and aldehydes, according to the CDC.

“Wildfires emit very high levels of particulate matter, which can have significant effects on human health, particularly [for] those that have pre-existing disease, including diabetes, hypertension and obesity,” Loren Wold tells Yahoo Life. Wold is a particulate matter researcher and associate dean for research operations and compliance in the Ohio State University’s College of Medicine.

This smoke can also have a big impact on your lungs, Dr. Simon Meredith, a pulmonologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital, tells Yahoo Life. “For people with any kind of chronic lung disease, such as [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] COPD or asthma, this can lead to irritation of the airways, causing them to feel shorter of breath.”

But even people without chronic lung disease can end up with airway irritation from wildfire smoke, leading to symptoms like a cough and shortness of breath, Meredith says.

High levels of particulate matter can even affect your heart, increasing blood pressure and causing sudden cardiac events like a heart attack, Wold says. “Exposure to elevated particulate matter levels long term can cause changes in heart function similar to patients with heart disease,” Wold says.

Wildfire smoke can drift, creating issues for people who live far away from the source of the fire. “The particulates travel hundreds of miles and can cause sinus and upper airway irritation,” Dr. Reynold A. Panettieri tells Yahoo Life. Panettieri is a researcher and vice chancellor for translational medicine at the Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science.

Panettieri says that even people who aren’t near the fire can have serious health effects from wildfire smoke if it’s concentrated enough. You can experience a range of potential health issues if you’re exposed to wildfire smoke over several days, according to the Environmental Protection Agency:

  • Respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, phlegm, wheezing and trouble breathing

  • Respiratory illness, including bronchitis, lower lung function and an increased risk of asthma exacerbation

  • Cardiovascular issues, including heart failure, heart attack and stroke

That doesn’t mean you’re doomed if you have a few bad air-quality days from wildfire smoke, though — it’s just that it could be an issue. “Those who do not live close to the wildfires are less likely to experience major issues,” Meredith says. “However, those who have a chronic lung condition are likely to experience more symptoms from the poor air quality that may be present because of the wildfires.”

Wold agrees. “The distance from the wildfire smoke is important, as levels will lessen according to distance,” he says. “However, the particulate matter contained within wildfire smoke can travel significant distances.”

At baseline, doctors say it’s important to pay close attention to air quality alerts in your area, particularly if you have an underlying health condition that may be affected by wildfire smoke or pollution. The National Weather Service offers an air quality index, and AirNow allows you to look up air quality by your ZIP code.

If the air quality in your area isn’t great, Panettieri recommends doing your best to stay indoors to avoid exposure to smoke. That includes shutting your windows and turning on your home’s central air, if you have it, to recirculate air inside instead of pulling it in from outside.

Wold also suggests limiting strenuous outdoor activities like exercise and wearing a high-quality mask like an N95 when you need to be outside. “This is particularly important for individuals with preexisting health conditions,” he says. If you’re able, using a portable air purifier with a HEPA filter in one or more rooms in your house should also help, according to the CDC.

Finally, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your health when the air quality is poor. “Any changes in breathing patterns, including shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, as well as changes in heart rate and blood pressure should be checked by a medical professional,” Wold says.