Wildfire and smoke
A wildfire is burning nearby or heavy smoke from distant fires is filling the air.
Warning signs
- Fire danger warning or evacuation alert
- Smell of smoke, ash falling or orange sky
- Poor air quality readings
Stay or go
Leave when authorities advise or when you feel in danger; you may not get an official order. If only smoke reaches you, stay inside if told to.
Do now
- Keep go bags ready and leave early if the fire approaches; do not wait for an order. (safety-23)
- Follow instructions from local emergency officials.
- Stay indoors with windows and doors shut; set any ventilation to recirculate.
- Make a clean room and run a portable air cleaner in it.
- Outdoors in smoke, wear a well-fitting N95 or P100 respirator.
Then
- Avoid burning candles, gas, wood or incense, smoking and vacuuming indoors during smoke.
- Watch people with asthma, heart or lung disease, diabetes, pregnant people and children for new symptoms.
- Return only when officials say it is safe; avoid hot ash, embers and downed power lines.
- Check with health officials before drinking tap water after a fire.
- Throw out food exposed to heat, smoke or fumes.
Related steps
Sources
- Wildfire safety checklist. American Red Cross, accessed 2026-11
- Safety guidelines: wildfires and wildfire smoke. CDC, accessed 2026-11
- Protect yourself from wildfire smoke and ash. US EPA, accessed 2026-11