How to protect yourself from fire smoke

As wildfires continue to rage in the Los Angeles area, it should be clear that the flames themselves are major threats, leaving destruction in their wake. So does the intense heat generated. But remember, where there’s fire, there’s smoke, which may be an inversion of the standard adage, but it’s very relevant here. The fires are creating huge amounts of smoke that are a huge threat in themselves. And these big plumes of wildfire smoke will remain big problems for a while and can end up traveling great distances from the flames.

Fire smoke contains particulate matter

That’s because fire smoke can have all kinds of harmful stuff in it. Every type of smoke contains particulates, which is a more cultured way of saying bits and pieces of things floating in the air. This particulate matter can range from clearly visible pieces of debris floating in the air to smaller and smaller particles.

Now particles are clearly a situation where size matters as the smaller the particles, the more likely they are to get into your respiratory tract and potentially into your lungs. Of particular concern are “respirable fine particles” or PM2.5 which are particles that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller. These particles are certainly not “good” for your health because they are small enough to enter the smallest airways of your lungs to cause irritation and damage.

The other more than minor problem with these fine inhalable particles is that they can be too small to see. So what appears to be clean air may be filled with PM2.5 matter. So don’t rely on your eyes alone to determine how clean the air really is.

Speaking of eyes, particles can also get into your eyes, leading to significant irritation. Therefore, if you notice that your eyes are burning and watering, there is a good chance that the air around you is polluted with particles.

Fire smoke may contain toxic gases

Other dangerous components of wildfire smoke are various toxic gases resulting from burning plants, other organic materials, rubber, and who knows what else may be in the Los Angeles area. Naturally, the closer to the flame, the greater the concentration of such gases. Even after the flames are long gone, burning debris can continue to emit toxic fumes and spray particles into the air.

Stay inside with the smoke of the fire outside

If you’re around the Los Angeles area right now, it’s best to stay indoors as much as possible and limit your time outside. Again, don’t trust your eyes to determine how clean the air may be. Keep your windows and doors closed. Close any other openings that may allow fire smoke to enter your living quarters or consider using thick damp rags to block such openings.

Obviously, you don’t want to stay inside your house if it’s on fire. Therefore, staying inside does not mean being oblivious to what is happening outside. Keep track of where fires and smoke are traveling through news or tracking websites and apps. Also, pay attention to what’s happening outside of where you live.

Air purifiers with HEPA filters can protect against fire smoke

If possible, use air purifiers that have a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to keep the indoor air around you clean. In theory, such filters are supposed to remove at least 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns (μm) in size from the air. This includes dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and, yes, fine particles. Pay attention to the HEPA filter’s Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating, which represents the filter’s ability to capture particles between 0.3 and 10 microns (µm) in size. The higher the MERV rating, the better that filter is at capturing particles of that size. Also, clean and replace the filter regularly. As Maroon 5 sang, nothing lasts forever.

Avoid strenuous physical activity while outdoors with fire smoke

It’s not time to start training for the marathon outside. More vigorous physical activity will increase your breathing rate and thus the amount of stuff in the air you inhale. This doesn’t mean you should stop exercising completely, because exercise is good for you. Just try to do it indoors in places that have clean filtered air.

N95 or P100 face masks can protect you from fire smoke

Unfortunately, some politicians have politicized face masks, as I have written before Forbes. But the bottom line is that face masks like N95 and P100 respirators are specifically designed to filter very small particles from the air so you don’t inhale them. In other words, such face masks work.

Now, this doesn’t mean that any face mask will work. A bandana, surgical mask or Deadpool mask won’t do much. When it comes to choosing the right face mask, it’s important to know not only your alphabet, but also your numbers. First look at the letter that tells you the class of the respirator:

• “N” stands for “no oil” which means the respirator is not oil resistant.
• “R” stands for “Oil Resistant” for 8 hours
• “P” means the respirator is oil-tight

Unless you plan to flavor your face mask with olive oil or something, you probably don’t need to choose a P or R face mask over an N. That’s assuming you won’t be in an area with a lot of oil fumes .

So as long as you have one of these lettered respirators, the next thing you should check is the number right after it. The number stands for the respirator’s efficiency in filtering particles that are 0.3 microns or larger. So an N95 mask can filter out 95 percent of such particles. A mask with a name ending in a 99 would be 99 percent effective. A P100 respirator is not 100 efficient because nothing is 100 percent in life. But such a mask approaches 99.97 percent efficiency.

Now, it is not enough to just see N95 or P100 on the face mask or its packaging. There are many face masks out there falsely advertised as such. Look for masks that have been tested and approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The face mask and packaging must have the word “NIOSH” printed along with “N95” or “P100”. If it says anything else like “NASH”, “KIBOSH” or “KNISH”, don’t trust the N95 or P100 rating. A Knish mask can be something completely different.

Face masks with N95 or P100 ratings approved by NIOSH are composed of interlacing propylene fibers that make it physically difficult for small particles to pass through. Additionally, these fibers are filled with electrostatic charges that will cause such particles to stick to the fibers.

Also, you must wear the N95 or P100 respirator properly for it to really protect you. Forming a tight seal around the mouth and nose is key. The respirator should have two straps that go around your head and keep the mask firmly on your face. Instead, masks that have ear loops will not form tight enough seals. Also, don’t wear face masks like a pair of Hailey Bieber pants or skinny jeans. It should be the right size to fit over your nose and under your chin without bunching up in any way so that the edges come off your face.

Try to replace your N95 or P100 face masks frequently. They lose effectiveness with use and time for three reasons. One reason is the loss of electrostatic charge. Another is that bending and twisting the face mask can separate the fiber gratings. A third reason is that dirt and oil can degrade the face mask, especially if it is not oil resistant. And despite what you may think of yourself, you are a very fat person. Simply touching the face mask with your hands will leave oil on the mask.

Check air quality reports daily to track wildfire smoke

Finally, remember what happened to the smoke generated by the wildfires in Central Canada in 2023. They spread across the northeastern US, as I reported on Forbes at that time. Yes, fire smoke can and will travel. And such smoke can stay for a while. The resulting path and distance depends on how much smoke is produced and what the winds and weather do. So no matter where you live in the US, it’s a good idea to keep monitoring the air quality indices around you.