Air Quality

Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other materials. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung disease.

Some things you can do to protect yourself from wildfire smoke are:

  • Pay attention to local air quality reports. Listen and watch for news or health warnings about smoke. Pay attention to public health messages about taking additional safety precautions.
  • Refer to visibility guides. South Lake Tahoe has a monitor that measures the amount of particles that are in the air. There are also guidelines to help people estimate the Air Quality Index (AQI) based on how far you can see.
Visibility Range Health Category Health Effects
10 + Miles Good None
5-10 Miles Moderate Usually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.
3-5 Miles Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Sensitive people should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
1.5-2.5 Miles Unhealthy Sensitive people should avoid pro-longed or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
1-1.25 Miles Very Unhealthy Sensitive people should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
<0.75 Miles Hazardous Sensitive people should remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Everyone else should avoid all physical activity outdoors.
  • If you are advised to stay indoors, keep indoor air as clean as possible. Keep windows and doors closed unless it is extremely hot outside. Run an air conditioner if you have one, but keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside.

Table Of Contents

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Download the Emergency Preparedness Guide
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Introduction Letters
Important Contacts
General Emergency Preparedness
Prepare a Disaster Preparedness Kit
Family Emergency Planning
Preserving Your Family's Documents
Family Communication Plan
Family Member Information
Special Needs & Vulnerable Populations
Develop a Pet Plan & Emergency Kit
Pet Information
Weather Watch or Weather Warning?
Extreme Weather
Air Quality
Wildland Fires
Earthquakes
Floods
Pandemic Influenza (Pandemic Flu)
Terrorism
Water Utilities
Your Local Schools
Emergency Notifications
CALSTAR
Area Maps
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