Public health advice during the wildfires: how to protect your health and keep safe

The health effects of smoke from wildfires can range from eye and respiratory tract irritation to more serious disorders, including reduced lung function, bronchitis, exacerbated asthma and premature death.

Smoke from wildfires can also contribute to higher exposures to air pollution at longer distances with more long-term effects: particulate matter is capable of penetrating deep into lung passageways and entering the bloodstream, primarily resulting in cardiovascular and respiratory impacts.

Children, elderly people, those with pre-existing cardiovascular or respiratory conditions and pregnant women are at greatest risk.

If there are wildfires in your area, the following actions can help you prevent or minimize direct health consequences.

• Remain indoors if safe, and avoid opening windows and direct ventilation with outside air. If possible, stay in buildings that are better protected from or further away from smoke sources and in cooler environments.
• If you belong to the groups particularly at risk, stay in air-conditioned spaces, if possible, and wear a mask (preferably an FFP2/N95 mask) if you need to move outside. Ensure the mask covers both your nose and mouth securely.
• Keep your home cool and reduce other sources of indoor air pollution such as smoking cigarettes, using propane gas or wood-burning stoves, spraying aerosol products, vacuuming, and frying or grilling food. Close windows and shutters (if available). Move to the coolest room in the home, especially at night.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, as the dry and smoky conditions can lead to increased fluid loss. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. 
• Reduce unnecessary travel. If travel is essential, motor vehicle drivers should use the headlights during daytime to improve conspicuousness and visibility.
• Always keep yourself informed by using official sources of information and follow guidance from your local authorities.
• Pay attention to any health symptoms, particularly if you have respiratory or cardiovascular diseases or are pregnant. Get medical help if you need it.

• Call for emergency help: only provide first aid to others if it is safe to do so.
• Remove any clothing that has caught alight.
• Extinguish flames by allowing the person to roll on the ground, by applying a blanket, or by using flame-extinguishing liquids. Avoid using water, as it can cause burns due to steam.
• If burns are minor, keep the burned area in contact with cool running water for 20–30 minutes.
• If burns are severe, do not attempt to remove clothing stuck to the burn. Cover the person with a clean, dry cloth or blanket to reduce heat loss and help prevent shock. 
• Do not apply ice, pastes or oils to the burned area.
• Move to a safer place, away from wildfires as soon as possible.
• Seek medical care.

Seek medical assistance if you: 

• got burned; 
• experience severe respiratory distress, chest pain, or other concerning symptoms due to smoke exposure;
• have a chronic disease and need your medication;
• experience symptoms such as burning eyes, difficulty breathing or skin irritation; or
• feel stressed and aggressive, have recurrent dreams of fires and are worried about returning wildfires.

If you need to access a hospital:

• check official information to find out which hospitals are operative;
• keep in mind that those with serious burns and urgent needs will be prioritized; and
• let health-care workers know if you have any chronic medical conditions.

Pay special attention to the needs of vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, pregnant women and individuals with chronic health conditions. Offer assistance or help them access resources if needed.

For vulnerable people, it is beneficial to stay in buildings that are better protected from or further away from smoke sources and in cooler environments. There may be schools, child-care centres, retirement homes, nursing homes, hospitals and hospices that can provide air-conditioned rooms for susceptible individuals. 

Keeping safe from wildfires is a joint effort of individuals, communities and relevant authorities, including the health sector. Prolonged heat exposure can exacerbate existing conditions. It is important that the following interventions are available for at-risk people to access:

• early information on wildfire hazards, including weather forecasts; 
• air quality monitoring:
• information about heat health impacts and ways people can protect themselves;
• information on help lines, social services, ambulances, clean-air and cooling-down spaces, transport and emergency medical services;
• local hospital services for treatment of medical emergencies and acute effects;
• primary care services and outpatient services to care for affected people in the community;
• facilities for oxygenation and respirators for particularly vulnerable populations;
• local medical assistance professionals, including doctors; and
• public spaces to serve as clean-air and cooling-down shelters.

An infodemic, with too much information including false or misleading information, can intensify during emergencies when people are unsure about what to do to protect themselves and those around them.   

• Always get information, advice and guidance from official sources of information, such as your national and local health authority. 
• Always check the source and analyze the content before sharing it with others.

False or misleading information causes confusion and can lead to behaviours that can potentially harm health.