Protect your family from wildfire smoke: What parents and pregnant people need to know

The latest California wildfires have already destroyed thousands of homes, scorched more than 39,000 acres, and forced 88,000 families to evacuate, with officials reporting that 88,000 people in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders as of Tuesday morning.

But beyond the immediate danger of flames, wildfires fill the air with dangerous smoke that can travel thousands of miles, turning clear blue skies into hazy, yellow-gray warnings. (In 2023, wildfire smoke from Canada drifted along the U.S. East Coast, triggering air quality alerts in places like New York, North Carolina, and Ohio.) 

Research shows that wildfire smoke is ten times more toxic than air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels. “Inhaling wildfire smoke can lead to symptoms like difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and coughing,” says Dr. MeiLan Han, a spokesperson for the American Lung Association and professor of medicine at the University of Michigan Medicine. 

Yale Medicine’s Carrie Redlich, MD, MPH, explains that while most research has focused on general air pollution, emerging studies indicate that wildfire smoke can have similar health effects. “There has been an explosion in research and understanding that even relatively low levels of air pollution can impact your lungs and heart,” she says. “For those with asthma, COPD, or heart conditions, exposure to wildfire smoke can be particularly harmful—especially for sensitive groups like pregnant women and young children.”

Many of the particles in wildfire smoke are no larger than one third the diameter of a human hair, making them small enough to enter and lodge deep in the lungs. “The advice to limit strenuous activities is because when your respiratory rate is higher, you inhale more particulates,” Dr. Redlich adds, emphasizing the importance of reducing exposure during periods of poor air quality. 

So what can you do to keep yourself and your little ones safe? Experts say that with the right precautions, you can reduce exposure and protect your family’s health.

1. Monitor Air Quality—Knowledge is Power

Smoke can stay in the air inside buildings and outdoors for days after wildfires have ended so continue to check local air quality. Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) on AirNow.gov or your phone’s weather app. An AQI above 150 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, including pregnant women and young children.

If air quality is poor, avoid outdoor activities and keep windows and doors shut.

2. Keep Indoor Air as Clean as Possible

Here’s how to improve indoor air quality:

• Close windows and doors to prevent polluted air from getting in.

• Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter to reduce indoor pollutants. If you have central air, install a MERV-13 filter in your HVAC system.
• Designate a “clean air room” in your home where your family can retreat if the air gets particularly bad. Use an air purifier and keep the door closed.
• Avoid indoor pollutants—skip the candles, incense, cooking on gas stoves, and vacuuming (which can stir up dust and allergens). Avoid using commercial cleaning products or spraying artificial fragrances.

3. If You Must Go Outside, Wear a Proper Mask

Regular cloth masks and surgical masks won’t protect against wildfire smoke. Instead, wear a N95 or KN95 mask, which filters out fine particles. Children over age 2 can wear small-sized KN95 masks for better protection.

4: Special Considerations for Pregnant People

Pregnancy naturally puts added stress on the lungs and heart, making it especially important to minimize exposure to wildfire smoke. Research suggests a potential link between wildfire smoke and risks such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and gestational diabetes. 

Fortunately, taking the right precautions—such as staying indoors when air quality is poor, using HEPA filters, and wearing protective masks—can help reduce these risks, ensuring a safer and healthier pregnancy. 

“Everyone, whether pregnant or not, should try to avoid prolonged inhalation of wildfire pollutants,” says Dr. Christina Han, professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA. “However, with the proper precautions, you and your baby will continue to stay healthy.”

If you’re expecting, take extra precautions:

• Limit outdoor exposure as much as possible.
• Stay hydrated—water helps flush out toxins.
• Have a prenatal care plan in place with your doctor, especially if wildfires are common in your area.
• Listen to your body. If you experience difficulty breathing, dizziness, or chest pain, seek medical attention immediately.

5: Protecting Young Children from Wildfire Smoke

Little lungs are still developing, and because kids breathe faster than adults, they inhale more smoke per pound of body weight. 

“The lungs of infants, especially premature infants, aren’t as strong as older children or adults,” says Dr. Marnie Granados, a CHOC pediatrician. “This makes them more vulnerable to poor air quality. Kids with asthma or another chronic respiratory condition should be extra careful during wildfires or periods of bad air quality.”

How to help them stay safe:

• Keep kids indoors when the air quality is poor.
• If you must go outside, use a KN95 mask for kids over 2. Ensure it fits snugly over their nose and mouth.
• Protect against ash and debris. If you’re returning home after a wildfire, wash your child’s hands, face, and clothes to remove harmful particles.
• If your child has asthma or another lung condition, keep medication on hand in case symptoms worsen. Parents should watch for signs of worsening respiratory distress, including persistent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or increased use of rescue inhalers. If symptoms escalate, seek medical attention immediately.

6: Preparing for Evacuations

Put the car’s air conditioning system on auto-circulate, as automotive air filters are often HEPA grade.

If you live in an area prone to wildfires, having a Go Bag ready can make a huge difference. Pack essentials like:

• N95 masks for the whole family
• Extra water and non-perishable snacks
• Medications (including inhalers if needed)
• Important documents
• Comfort items for kids, like a stuffed animal or blanket
• If you’re pregnant, consider adding prenatal vitamins, extra maternity clothes, your medical records, and emergency contact numbers to your emergency bag.

For more guidance, check out our article on how to build the ultimate emergency go bag.

The bottom line:

Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense—but by taking these precautions, you can protect yourself, your baby, and your little ones from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke. And if you find yourself feeling extra anxious during wildfire season, that’s completely normal. Talk to your healthcare provider about managing stress and keeping your pregnancy or parenting journey as smooth as possible.

Sources:

1. A discussion about wildfire impacts on health. Los Angeles Times. 2023. “How to protect kids from wildfire smoke”
2. Guidelines for staying safe during wildfires. CDC. “Safety Guidelines: Wildfires and Wildfire Smoke”
3. Protecting children’s health from environmental disasters. EPA. “Protecting Children’s Health During and After Natural Disasters: Wildfires & Volcanic Ash”
4. Information on wildfires and children’s health. Children’s Health of Orange County. “Wildfires and children’s health: What parents should know”
5. Overview of respiratory protection in wildfire smoke. EPA. 2018. “Protect Your Lungs from Wildfire Smoke or Ash”
6. A look into the health effects of wildfires. American Lung Association “How Wildfires Affect Our Health”
7. An analysis of the dangers of wildfire smoke. Yale Medicine. “How Bad Is Wildfire Smoke for Your Health?”
8. Effects of wildfire pollution on pregnancy. UCLA Health. “Pregnancy and air quality: How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke and pollution”
9. Investigating the danger of wildfire smoke to lungs. Time. 2023. “Your Questions About Wildfire Smoke and Health, Answered.”
10. Guidance on air quality and health during fires. AirNow. “Fires and Your Health”
11. Tools for preparation and safety from wildfire smoke. EPA. “Smoke-Ready Toolbox for Wildfires”
12. Research on wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy. UC Berkeley Public Health. “Exposure to wildfire smoke during pregnancy increases risk of preterm birth.”
13. Impacts of wildfire smoke on pregnant individuals. The 19th News. 2023. “The 19th Explains: How poor air quality and wildfire smoke impact pregnant people”
14. Fact sheet on wildfire effects during pregnancy. British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. “Wildfire Smoke and Pregnancy.”
15. Understanding particulate matter pollution. EPA. “Particulate Matter (PM) Basics.”
16. Information about wildfire smoke effects during pregnancy. EPA. “Wildfire smoke and pregnancy”.