Prescribed Fire, Smoke and Health:

Interim Recommendations for Local Health Jurisdictions

*Note: The California Department of Public Health looks forward to feedback from local jurisdictions and other partners on these recommendations. To submit feedback or questions about this guide, email CCHU@cdph.ca.gov. Updates will be made to this guide based on feedback.

Prescribed fire is the controlled use of fire to reduce wildfire hazards, improve land management, and restore natural ecosystems. While prescribed fire produces smoke that can affect health, it is a key tool in preventing catastrophic wildfires. Prescribed fire is carefully planned to reduce health and environmental impacts, in contrast to the dense, long-lasting smoke from uncontrolled wildfires.

Prescribed fire planners, air quality managers, and public health professionals can work together to reduce smoke exposure to vulnerable populations and mitigate impacts. Local health departments can get involved in planning and outreach efforts to notify communities when prescribed burns are planned and to raise awareness about prescribed fire, smoke and health.

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Visit Prescribed Fire, Smoke and Health | CDPH for basics on prescribed fire.
For social media posts on prescribed fire, please see the Social Media section below.
Visit Wildfires | CDPH Center for Preparedness and Response for emergency-related wildfire resources.

Social Media These co-branded CDPH and CAL FIRE assets are available for local health jurisdiction use. Please email CCHU@cdph.ca.gov if you want the assets emailed in a compressed file. Intended use – Short video (English, 23 seconds) used in one social media post:	Video copy “Prescribed fires” are intentionally set under the right conditions, to help prevent large, dangerous wildfires. They’re planned to reduce smoke impacts on people, compared to dense, long-lasting smoke from wildfires. Smoke from fires can cause or worsen health problems. Be smoke ready! Stay inside. Wear a well-fitting N95 outside. Learn more at Go.cdph.ca.gov/Prescribed-Fire
Intended use – multiple images used as a set in one social media post (carousel) in the following order: 1. 2. 3. 4.	Instagram/Facebook Be smoke ready! California is increasing the use of intentional, controlled fires to help prevent large, dangerous wildfires. “Prescribed fires” are carefully planned and managed to minimize smoke impacts on people. The smoke is usually less dense and long-lasting compared to smoke from wildfires. Fire smoke is unhealthy to breathe, whether from prescribed fire or uncontrolled wildfires. During smoke events, stay indoors, limit outdoor activities and use air cleaners and HEPA filters indoors. If you must go outside, wear a well-fitting N95. Learn more about prescribed fire at go.cdph.ca.gov/Prescribed-Fire X/Bluesky CA is increasing the use of planned, controlled fires to prevent large, dangerous wildfires. The smoke is less dense and long-lasting compared to smoke from wildfires. Fire smoke is unhealthy to breathe, even from prescribed fires, so be smoke ready! Go.cdph.ca.gov/Prescribed-Fire

Social Media

These co-branded CDPH and CAL FIRE assets are available for local health jurisdiction use. Please email CCHU@cdph.ca.gov if you want the assets emailed in a compressed file.

Intended use – Short video (English, 23 seconds) used in one social media post:

Video copy

“Prescribed fires” are intentionally set under the right conditions, to help prevent large, dangerous wildfires.

They’re planned to reduce smoke impacts on people, compared to dense, long-lasting smoke from wildfires.

Smoke from fires can cause or worsen health problems.

Be smoke ready! Stay inside. Wear a well-fitting N95 outside.

Learn more at Go.cdph.ca.gov/Prescribed-Fire

Intended use – multiple images used as a set in one social media post (carousel) in the following order:

1.

Person with fire torch lighting grassland. Copy: "Prescribed Fire" helps prevent large, dangerous wildfires.

2.

Child using an inhaler with text overlay do you take your quick-relief inhaler more than two times a week?

3.

Older person using an asthma inhaler with a health professional. Copy: Smoke from fires could cause health problems for some peo

4.

Person using an inhaler with text overlay do you refill your quick-relief inhaler more than two times a year?

Instagram/Facebook

Be smoke ready! California is increasing the use of intentional, controlled fires to help prevent large, dangerous wildfires.

“Prescribed fires” are carefully planned and managed to minimize smoke impacts on people. The smoke is usually less dense and long-lasting compared to smoke from wildfires.

Fire smoke is unhealthy to breathe, whether from prescribed fire or uncontrolled wildfires. During smoke events, stay indoors, limit outdoor activities and use air cleaners and HEPA filters indoors. If you must go outside, wear a well-fitting N95.

Learn more about prescribed fire at go.cdph.ca.gov/Prescribed-Fire

X/Bluesky

CA is increasing the use of planned, controlled fires to prevent large, dangerous wildfires. The smoke is less dense and long-lasting compared to smoke from wildfires.

Fire smoke is unhealthy to breathe, even from prescribed fires, so be smoke ready! Go.cdph.ca.gov/Prescribed-Fire