Community health centres can play an important role in raising awareness on how individuals and their families can protect themselves from wildfire smoke.

Smoke from wildfires can be a major source of air pollution for people in Canada. Wildfire smoke may be carried hundreds or thousands of kilometres and can impact communities far away from the fire zone.
Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of gases, particles, and water vapour. It is the fine particles (PM2.5), not visible to the human eye, that get deep into our lungs and bloodstream. These fine particles are the main health risk from wildfire smoke.
 
Everyone’s health is at risk from wildfire smoke but people at higher risk include seniors, pregnant people, people who smoke, infants and young children, people who spend a lot of time outdoors, and people with an existing illness or chronic health conditions.
 
During wildfires smoke events, community health centres can advise their clients of the following actions to reduce their exposure:

• • Pay attention to the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), special air quality statements or other indicators of smoke levels in the community.  
  • Limit outdoor activities and strenuous physical activities.
  • Stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed. If it becomes too warm, turn on the air conditioning.
  • Use a clean, good quality air filter in the ventilation system or use a portable air purifier in a room where the most time is spent.
  • If time must be spent outdoors, a well-fitted respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can be worn.
  • For individuals that do not have access to an indoor space with cool, clean air, contact local health or emergency authorities to find designated cleaner air spaces (e.g., libraries, shopping malls, community centres).
  • For individuals exhibiting symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression, advise them of mental health resources that are available.

For more information on wildfire smoke visit canada.ca/wildfiresmoke.