Office of Communications

Wildfire Safety

Millions of Californians are impacted by wildfires every year, so it’s essential to know how to protect yourself and your family. The following social media messages can help Californians protect their health and safety in the event of a wildfire or poor air quality. The messages include tips, such as staying indoors with windows and doors closed when a wildfire creates smoke in your area, how N95 masks can help protect from wildfire smoke, and what items to grab if you must quickly evacuate.

For complete information about wildfire safety, please visit our wildfire safety page.

CDPH Material Co-brand Disclaimer
Local health jurisdictions (LHJs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) may co-brand materials created by CDPH (those in CDPH Office of Communications Toolkits) by adding their agency logo next to or near the CDPH logo. Be sure there is ample space between the two logos. Materials may not be altered or edited in any other way, including removal or adjustment of the CDPH logo.

Social Media

To use these images, click on each one to enlarge the image, then right click and “save as.”

Wildfire Smoke Inhalation & Air Quality

Suggested Messaging:

Protect yourself and your loved ones from wildfire smoke. Those most at risk include the older adults, those who are pregnant and people with chronic respiratory and heart conditions. Children are also at a higher risk as they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults, and wildfire smoke can irritate their still-developing lungs.

Learn more about precautions you can take to protect your family from wildfire smoke and ash at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Smoke-Ash-Safety.aspx

Suggested Messaging:
Wildfires can release ash into the air, which can cause persistent cough, runny nose, phlegm, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Take steps to reduce air pollutants in your home.

Stay inside as much as possible and close all windows, doors and vents.
Check the air quality and sign up for updates
Change settings on your A/C unit to re-circulate, close outdoor air intakes and/or run an air purifier

If you need to go outside, wear an N95, KN95 or KF94 mask. Learn more about how you can protect yourself from smoke and ash during wildfires at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Smoke-Ash-Safety.aspx

smoke from wildfires can affect breathing

Suggested Messaging:

Smoke from wildfires can affect how you breathe, especially for those with breathing problems. If you or your child have asthma, or another lung disease, keep at least a seven-day supply of medication on hand and call a health care provider if nearby wildfires worsen breathing issues.

https://www.cdc.gov/air/wildfire-smoke/chronic-conditions.htm#asthma

Avoid breathing smoke from wildfires. Inhaling smoke can cause eye & respiratory irritation, reduced lung function, bronchitis, worsening asthma symptoms.

Suggested Messaging:

Smoke from wildfires can cause eye and respiratory irritation and even more serious reactions. If you are in an area where wildfires are burning, please stay indoors and reduce outdoor activity. Wear an N95 (or KN95 or KF94) mask if you must go outdoors. For more information on how to prepare for wildfires go to: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Wildfires--.aspx

Suggested Messaging:

Smoke from wildfires can cause eye and respiratory (lung) issues and even more serious reactions. Use an N95 (or KN95 or KF94) mask to filter out pollutants and support your breathing in areas with poor air quality. Find your location’s current air quality at www.airnow.gov and learn how to protect your health from wildfire smoke at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire Pages/Smoke-Ash-Safety.aspx

N95 masks What are they and what do they do? An N95 respirator is a filter mask that fits over the nose and mouth. When properly fitted, it can filter 95% of smoke particles.

Suggested Messaging:

If you are near a wildfire the best way to avoid smoke inhalation is to stay inside. If you must go outside in smoky conditions, use an N95 respirator mask or a KN95 or KF94. For more information on masks go to: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Wildfires--.aspx

N95 Masks. What do they protect against? Dust, fumes, mists, aerosols, and smoke particulates, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, viruses, animal dander and allergens.

Suggested Messaging:

N95 masks (as well as K95s and KN94s) can filter out pollutants, including smoke from wildfires, and make breathing safer. For more information on masks and wildfire safety go to: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Wildfires--.aspx

Wildfire Safety & Preparedness

Protect yourself and your loved one this wildfire season

Suggested Messaging:

During a wildfire event, the priority is to protect yourself and your loved ones! If you are ordered to evacuate your home or the area, do so immediately. All else is secondary. Learn more at:

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Wildfires--.aspx

Suggested Messaging:

When a wildfire is threatening your area, follow these guidelines:

Monitor local area radio or television stations for the latest wildfire information.
Be prepared to evacuate on a moment’s notice.
Make sure you have an emergency kit, complete with medications, copies of prescriptions and medical supplies.
Locate nearby shelters, including ones that take pets. Be sure you bring your pet’s medications.
Arrange to stay with family or friends outside the threatened area.

Learn more at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Wildfires--.aspx

Suggested Messaging:

Wildfire season is here—are you ready? Plan ahead so you can react quickly if needed. Be ready to go with:

3-day emergency kit with essential items (food, water, records, medication) for each family member and pet
N95 masks
Evacuation plans

Get information on the best ways to prepare for wildfires at:

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Wildfires-.aspx

Suggested Messaging:

If you’re ordered to evacuate, do so immediately! The “Ps of Preparedness” can help you get ready if an evacuation order comes:

People (help children, older adults and people with disabilities)
Pets
Papers (important documents)
Phones
Prescriptions (and glasses)
Pictures
PCs (for the information stored)
Plastic (credit cards and cash)

Learn more at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Wildfires--.aspx

Spanish

Wildfire Smoke Inhalation & Air Quality

To use these images, click on each one to enlarge the image, then right click and "save as."

Protege a tus amigos y familiares del humo de los incendios forestales

Suggested Messaging in Spanish:

Protégete y protege a tus seres queridos del humo de los incendios forestales. Los que corren mayor riesgo son los adultos mayores, las personas embarazadas y aquellas con condiciones respiratorias y cardíacas crónicas. Los niños también corren un mayor riesgo ya que respiran más aire por libra de peso corporal que los adultos, y el humo de los incendios forestales puede irritar sus pulmones aún en desarrollo.

Obtén más información sobre las precauciones que puedes tomar para proteger a tu familia del humo y las cenizas de los incendios forestales en: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Smoke-Ash-Safety.aspx

QUÉDATE ADENTRO Inscríbete para recibir notificaciones

Suggested Messaging in Spanish:

Los incendios forestales pueden producir cenizas en el aire, lo que puede causar tos persistente, secreción nasal, flema, sibilancias y dificultad para respirar. Toma medidas para reducir los contaminantes del aire en tu hogar.

Quédate adentro tanto como sea posible y cierra todas las ventanas, puertas y rejillas de ventilación.
Controla la calidad del aire y regístrate para recibir notificaciones.
Cambia la configuración de tu unidad de aire acondicionado a recircular, cierra las entradas de aire exteriores y / o prende un purificador de aire.

Si necesitas salir, usa una mascarilla N95, KN95 o KF94. Obtén más información sobre cómo puedes protegerte del humo y las cenizas durante los incendios forestales en: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Smoke-Ash-Safety.aspx

El HUMO de los incendios forestales puede afectar la respiración.

Suggested Messaging in Spanish:

El humo de los incendios forestales puede afectar la forma en que respiras, especialmente a aquellos con problemas respiratorios. Si tú o tu hijo tienen asma u otra enfermedad pulmonar, ten a mano un suministro de medicamentos para siete días y llama a un proveedor de atención médica si los incendios forestales cercanos empeoran los problemas respiratorios. https://www.cdc.gov/air/wildfire-smoke/chronic-conditions.htm#asthma