The Wildfire Toolkit
Wildfire season (which historically took place in summer and fall) is a thing of the past. We are now seeing “wildfire years” – seasons that last all year long. Fires are burning bigger, faster, and hotter, with each wildfire year more damaging than the one before it. And this is having a grave impact, not just on a select few, but on all of humanity.
Because wildfire smoke doesn’t stay put. It has been known to travel thousands of miles, affecting nearly everyone on the planet. That’s why we’ve compiled these educational resources and safety tips. Because knowledge is power. Understanding how wildfires impact human health is the first step to truly protecting yourself and your family.
So, please, take advantage of these materials and educate yourself. Then share this information with others. Help us bring awareness to one of the most misunderstood human health issues affecting us all.
Health Impacts
A recent study from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, found that smoke from wildfires can be up to 10 times more dangerous than other types of pollution, even traffic emissions.
Cleanup & Remediation
There are two main ways to clean up wildfire smoke. The first is surface cleaning. The second is air cleaning. And this is important information even for those who live far away from where the actual wildfires are burning.
Who is Affected
Contrary to popular opinion, it's not just the areas immediately surrounding wildfires that are affected by the smoke and pollution. The tiny particles from wildfires can travel huge distances and affect people in far-off locations.
It’s known as the Woolsey wildfire. It burned through Los Angeles and Ventura Counties in California in 2018, scorching 96,949 acres of land, destroying 1,643 structures, killing three people, and forcing the evacuation of more than 295,000 people. Seth and Lauren Dahl and their three children were among the evacuees. They remained out of their home for 31 days as everything in the home was covered with smoke. In this podcast, they tell their amazing story... including how Austin Air purifiers helped them safely return to their home.
Click on the map below to show air quality conditions from fine particulate matter (PM2.5) generated by various sources, including wildfire smoke.
If you’re concerned about wildfires in your area, now is the time to prepare. There are a number of things you can do in advance to reduce your risks.
Exposure to smoke not only causes breathing difficulties but it can also increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, Dementia and Alzheimer’s
