Climate change is causing rising temperatures, leading to more extreme heat days and severe weather-related events such as flooding and drought in California. This creates conditions leading to more frequent and intense wildfires and smoke from fires. Smoke and poor air quality, especially during very hot days, can affect your health.
If you are planning for emergencies, preparing your home for smoke, looking for studies by CDPH, or information on protecting worker health, the Climate, Fires and Smoke Hub has the right resources for you. It is intended for:
Smoke at work training modules.
Wildfire smoke at work (PPT, English, 22.43MB)
Wildfire smoke at work (PPT, Spanish, 22.42MB)
Information on what to do before, during and after a wildfire disaster provided by CDPH's Center for Preparedness and Response.
Information on how smoke from fires affects health and the groups for whom smoke is most dangerous.
Information on getting your household ready for smoke events, from buying materials for a DIY box fan air cleaner to keeping pets safe.
Information on protecting health from extreme heat and heat illness. People sometimes experience high temperatures during wildfires and smoke events.
Information includes which masks are most protective during wildfire smoke events and what masks are best for children.
Overview of using prescribed fire as a tool to clear vegetation and prevent large destructive wildfires.
Guidance for public health officials on smoke-related topics including AQI sources and interpretation, monitoring, sensitive populations, and public health messaging considerations.
While prescribed fire produces smoke, it is a key tool in preventing catastrophic wildfires. Local health departments can help notify communities when prescribed burns are planned and raise awareness about prescribed fire, smoke and health.
The CDPH Wildfire Health Plan will provide guidance to counties on educating the public about wildfire smoke. It includes a Wildfire Smoke Education Toolkit, a training resource for community health workers and others.
A toolkit that provides videos (cleaning soot and ash, personal protective equipment, etc.) and shareable materials.
This program identifies and investigates hazards connected to natural disasters, such as wildfire smoke exposures and chemical fires or explosions.
Information for workers and employers on preventing heat-related illnesses, including prevention tips, educational materials, safety requirements, and resources.
PROTECT program provides tools and educational materials on respiratory hazards, including particulate matter from fires.
Publications on air quality, smoke and ash produced by the Air Quality Section of CDPH's Environmental Health Laboratory.
Publications on fires, smoke and health produced by the Climate Change and Health Unit of CDPH's Environmental Health Investigations Branch.
Information and selected peer-reviewed papers authored or co-authored by the Air Quality Section of CDPH's Environmental Health Laboratory. Air cleaners and ventilation are important tools for cleaner indoor air when it is smoky outside.
A study of air pollution exposures among female agricultural workers in Fresno, Kern, and Kings counties. Collaborators included Biomonitoring California and the Air Quality Section of CDPH's Environmental Health Laboratory.
Projects on low-cost and portable air samplers and sensors by the Air Quality Section of CDPH's Environmental Health Laboratory. Relatively low-cost air samplers and sensors create greater opportunities for community-based air measurements to help people avoid poor outdoor air quality.