Smoke from Fires and Your Health

Key Points

• Intense and destructive wildfires are increasing in California.
• Also increasing is the use of “prescribed fires​," controlled fires set intentionally to reduce large, dangerous wildfires.
• Smoke from fires can cause health problems, especially for children, older adults, people who are pregnant, outdoor workers, or people who have heart or lung issues, including asthma​.
• You can take steps to protect your health by preparing for smoky conditions.​

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Climate change is causing rising temperatures, leading to more extreme heat days and cycles of intense rain or snow and drought in California. This creates conditions leading to more frequent and intense wildfires and more smoke.​​​​​

​Spotlight on our work​​ The CDPH Wildfire Health Plan will provide guidance to counties on educating the public on wildfire smoke, how it can harm our health and how we can protect ourselves. It will also focus on the smooth delivery of masks, respirators, and portable air cleaners for the people most affected by wildfire smoke in the state. Read more​

How smoke threatens or harms health​

​​Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases ​and fine particles. The biggest health threat from smoke is from tiny ​​particles. These particles or “particulate matter" are called PM2.5. They can get into your eyes and lungs, enter your bloodstream, and harm your health. ​Breathing smoke can cause health effects from mild irritation to serious health problems. People can experience ​symptoms​ such as: Burning eyes Wheezing​ Coughing Headaches Shortness of breath Asthma attacks Lung irritation Chest pain Fatigue Worsening of longer-term health pr​oblems​​​​​

For guidance on wildfire emergencies, visit CDPH Wildfires Preparedness and Response web page.  For guidance on preparing for smoky conditions, visit Get Smoke Rea​dy: Protect Your Health from Smoke web page. For information on “prescribed fires," controlled fires set intentionally to reduce large, dangerous wildfires, visit Prescribed Fire, Smoke and Health web page.

​​Short-term effects from breathing smoke include increased emergency room visits for heart and lung problems during smoke events. Long-term effects include cancer, serious heart and lung conditions, and even earlier death for people with those conditions.​

Breathing smoke during pregnancy is linked with higher chances of having certain problems. Possible problems include the birth of a baby before 37 weeks ​or a lower than usual birth weight. Research has also found that firefighters who breathe a lot of smoke have higher chances of getting lung cancer and heart disease.

Anyone may have symptoms if they breathe enough smoke. Even breathing low levels of smoke over a long period of time could cause health problems. It is best to avoid breathing smoke as much as possible.​

Vis​it the Get Smoke Ready​​ web page to learn about protecting your health from smoke.​

Who is most affected by smoke

Smoke is unhealthy for everyone, but some people are more sensitive or more vulnerable to smoke.  Some groups of people can be more affected by smoke because of age or health conditions. 

They include:  ​Older adults  Children  Pregnant people  People with heart and lung conditions, including asthma  Some groups are more likely to breathe smoky air or have fewer ways to protect themselves from smoke.  They include:  People who live or work outdoors  People who are low-income or lack access to information or health care services  People who live in areas with poor air quality or frequent smoky conditions​​​​​

​​A pregnant farmworker who works outside is an example of someone who falls into more than one group especially affected by smoke. People who belong to more than one group need to be more careful to avoid breathing in smoky air.  

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