Protecting Your Respiratory Health During Wildfire Season

As wildfire season intensifies across many regions, those living with asthma—including eosinophilic asthma—face heightened health risks that extend far beyond the immediate fire zones. Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of miles, creating hazardous air quality conditions that may persist for days or weeks.

For people with eosinophilic asthma and other respiratory conditions, smoke exposure presents specific challenges. The fine particulate matter in wildfire smoke can penetrate deep into the lungs, potentially triggering inflammation, worsening existing symptoms, and increasing the risk of severe asthma attacks.

The impact goes beyond physical symptoms. Wildfire seasons can disrupt daily routines, limit outdoor activities, and create anxiety about when the next air quality alert might come. Understanding how to prepare for and respond to these conditions is essential for maintaining respiratory health and quality of life.

APFED has compiled the following resources to help you navigate wildfire season more safely. While this list isn’t exhaustive, these tools and guidelines can help you monitor conditions, protect your health, and know when to seek medical care.

General Resources

• AirNow Air Quality Index (AQI). AirNow is a partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Park Service, NASA, Centers for Disease Control, and tribal, state, and local air quality agencies.
• Preparing for Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters When You Have Asthma, Allergy & Asthma Foundation of America
• Wildfires and How They Affect Air Quality and Asthma, Allergy & Asthma Foundation of America
• How Wildfire Smoke Can Worsen Your Asthma, Allergy & Asthma Network
• Wildfire Smoke, Air Quality, and Your Health, Allergy & Asthma Network