What to do when wildfire smoke smothers your area and how to keep your home's air clean

Learn how air quality is measured.

While the burning blaze of wildfires is an obvious threat, wildfire smoke can also be hazardous as it makes outdoor air nearly unbreathable.

The harmful nature of wildfire smoke comes from the microscopic particles it contains. According to the EPA, the particles find their way into your eyes and respiratory system, which can cause health problems such as burning eyes, aggravating lung and heart diseases and, in worst cases, premature deaths.

The people most at risk from wildfire smoke are people with lung diseases, such as asthma, or heart disease, older adults, children and expectant mothers, according to the CDC. However, wildfire smoke can be harmful to anyone.

An image showing smoke filling the air on May 30, 2023, above Nova Scotia, Canada, as wildfires continue to scorch the landscape.

(@bigmacdaddy\_eth via Storyful / FOX Weather)

Because of these risks, residents may be advised to stay indoors during a wildfire event. Still, the microscopic particles from wildfire smoke can also find their way indoors, making the air quality within homes potentially hazardous.

WILDFIRES CAN BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH EVEN IF YOU'RE NOWHERE NEAR ONE

Here are some tips on how you can protect your family and your home from the dangers of wildfire smoke.

Woman tries to seal off her window air conditioning unit.

(David Ryder / Getty Images)

During a wildfire smoke event, local officials may advise residents who have not been evacuated to stay indoors and limit their exposure to the poor outdoor air.

"If you’re one that uses a window (air conditioner) unit, don't turn on your A/C," says FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin. "When you’re driving in your car, recycle your air -- the button with the arrow? Hit that, because you don't want to bring in the air from the outside."

The EPA provides the following advice on how to reduce the amount of smoke that enters your home:

"If you live in a big apartment building in New York City, you’re going to be fine with your A/C running," Merwin said. "The folks in Upstate New York that might have an A/C unit in their window -- that's going to bring in the smoke into your home."

Merwin also suggests putting a wet towel at the bottom of your window sill or your door.

"The smoke that's trying to get into your home is going to be absorbed by that wet towel and keep the levels lower inside your house," she said.

WHAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR EVACUATION ‘GO’ BAG DURING WILDFIRE SEASON

Air filter in a home, while a cat sits in front of a window.

(Michael Swensen / Getty Images)

The EPA also provides recommendations on how to clean the air in your home:

A young boy holds a vacuum cleaning in a kitchen.

(Gabrielle Lurie / San Francisco Chronicle / Getty Images)

While you’re cleaning the air in your home, try to avoid doing activities that may introduce more or kick up existing particles into the air:

HOW DO WILDFIRES AND THEIR SMOKE EXACERBATE MEDICAL CONDITIONS?

A layer of ash from a wildfire rests on a car.

(Paul Chinn / The San Francisco Chronicle / Getty Images)

Wildfire smoke events often leave behind ash or other debris around your home, exposing you and your family to particles that can irritate your eyes, nose, and skin and cause other health problems.

To safely clean your home of these particulates, the EPA advises residents to keep these tips in mind:

Another idea:

"When you come back inside, take a shower," Merwin said. "Treat it as like a high pollen day. You want to change your clothes, get the smoke off of you."

Before, during and after a wildfire smoke event, be sure to check the air quality index for your area.