Wildfires and smoke

Climate change is real and affects health in many ways. If you see or smell smoke in the immediate area, limit or avoid outdoor activity, including exercise. This particularly applies to children and older adults, people with breathing or heart issues, such as asthma and pregnant individuals.

Wildfire smoke inhalation prevention

Bay Area residents impacted by wildfire smoke are advised to:

  • Stay indoors with windows and doors closed, where air quality is better.
  • Keep indoor air cool or visit an air-cooling center.
  • Set home and car ventilation systems on re-circulate to prevent drawing in outside air.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking water.
  • Limit or avoid outdoor recreational and sports activities.
  • Use an air filter, especially if there are household members with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory conditions, or elderly persons and children.
  • Avoid using wood-burning stoves or fireplaces, lawn mowing, leaf blowing, burning candles and incense, barbecuing, smoking.
  • If possible, leave the affected area for the duration of a heavy smoke event.

Using a mask during smoke events

  • N95 masks or higher are a last resort, for people without access to safer indoor filtered air.
  • Some specific masks (N95s or higher) may be helpful for those who must be outdoors for long periods, but they must fit well and provide a tight seal around the wearer's mouth and nose to be effective.
  • N95 masks require a tight seal to work, thus may not protect men with beards or young children.
  • Persons with chronic breathing or heart issues or other medical conditions, should check with their health care provider before using an N95 mask, as they can make breathing more difficult.
  • Bandanas (wet or dry), paper or surgical masks, or tissues held over the mouth and nose will not protect from wildfire smoke or small particulate matter in the air.
  • View guidance and images form the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Additional resources

FAQs

What is Spare the Air?

Spare the Air is an awareness campaign and a call to action. The campaign informs people about the dangerous health effects of air pollution and asks residents to drive less to reduce pollution when a Spare the Air Alert is issued.

When is a Spare the Air Alert issued?

Typically, a Spare the Air Alert is issued during peak ozone months, May–October, when ground-level ozone (smog) is forecast to meet or exceed 126 on the Air Quality Index (AQI). However, we have seen alerts at other times of the year or for other reasons, when the air quality is poor and the AQI exceeds recommended levels.

How can air pollution impact you?

  • Aggravate respiratory disease such as emphysema, bronchitis and asthma
  • Cause lung damage, even after symptoms such as coughing or a sore throat disappear
  • Cause wheezing, chest pain, dry throat, headache or nausea
  • Reduce resistance to infections
  • Increase fatigue
  • Weaken athletic performance

What are the health effects of air pollution?

Anyone – even healthy people – can experience health impacts from air pollution, including respiratory irritation or breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities. Your actual risk of adverse effects depends on your current health status, the pollutant type and concentration, and the length of your exposure.  

High air pollution levels can cause immediate health problems, including: 

  • Aggravated cardiovascular and respiratory illness
  • Added stress to heart and lungs, which must work harder to supply the body with oxygen
  • Damaged cells in the respiratory system

Long-term exposure to polluted air can have permanent health effects, such as: 

  • Accelerated aging of the lungs
  • Loss of lung capacity and decreased lung function
  • Development of diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly cancer 
  • Shortened life span

Who is most vulnerable to poor air quality?

Those most susceptible to health problems from air pollution are: 

  • Children
  • Older adults and the elderly
  • Individuals with heart disease, coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure
  • Individuals with lung diseases, including asthma, emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Pregnant women
  • Outdoor workers
  • Outdoor athletes

People in these groups may experience health impacts at lower air pollution levels, or feel health effects more severely at any level.

How can air pollution impact you?

  • Aggravate respiratory disease such as emphysema, bronchitis and asthma
  • Cause lung damage, even after symptoms such as coughing or a sore throat disappear
  • Cause wheezing, chest pain, dry throat, headache or nausea
  • Reduce resistance to infections
  • Increase fatigue
  • Weaken athletic performance

What are some ways to improve air quality?

  1. Drive less, especially when a Spare the Air Alert is in effect
  2. Use a zero emission transportation option such as biking, walking or driving an electric vehicle
  3. Take public transit or carpool 
  4. Bring your lunch to work
  5. Use a propane grill
  6. Use an electric lawn mower, electric leaf blower, electric-power tools and other electric lawn/garden equipment
  7. Refuel after the sun goes down
  8. Buy or lease a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle
  9. Work from home
  10. Don’t idle – turn off your engine when parked

How can I receive Spare the Air Alerts?

  • Get a text
  • Get Email AirAlerts
  • Add the widget to your website
  • Get a call
  • Get the iPhone app
  • Get the Android app

Get all of these resources at the Spare the Air website.

Contact us

Emergency calls

911


Police non-emergency

650-330-6300
(including after hours)


Public Works

Fallen trees, sandbags, streets, mudslides, storm drains
650-330-6780
(Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–4 p.m.)


Social media updates

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Know Your Zone

Evacuation zone information


Menlo Park Fire Protection District

Non-emergency
650-688-8400

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