Wildfires (for Families & Communities)

If you live in an area that is prone to wildfires, having a wildfire response plan should be part of your family’s disaster plan, including having a disaster kit ready to leave home with if needed. If your child has chronic health conditions, discuss plans for wildfires with their primary care provider. Ready.gov offers more resources.

Families can prepare for a wildfire by:

• Staying alert! Follow smoke-related news coverage and public health advisories.
• Looking up local Air Quality Index (AQI) on the AirNow.gov website (see Additional Resources).
• Signing up for air quality alerts at Enviroflash.info (see Additional Resources).
• Improving indoor air quality by:
  • Talking with a HVAC or furnace professional about upgrading to a filter rated “MERV” 13 or higher.
  • Using a portable air cleaner (see Additional Resources).

If a wildfire is burning near you:

• Evacuate the area IMMEDIATELY if recommended by authorities. Be sure to bring immunization records, all medication (taken by each family member) and other disaster supplies with you.
• If you and/or your children are trapped, call 911.
• Seek shelter elsewhere such as public cleaner air shelters, libraries, or malls if your family does not have an air conditioner, air cleaner, or if it is too warm in your home to stay inside with the windows closed. Do NOT leave children in vehicles unattended.
• Move children to an environment with cleaner air, if possible, when smoke levels are high.
• Stay indoors to minimize smoke exposure. Close all windows, doors, and other openings.
• Create a “clean room” in your home (see Additional Resources).

• Avoid activities that can worsen the indoor air, such as cooking on a stove, vacuuming, and smoking.
• If you have central air or heating, replace the filter with one rated MERV13 or higher.
• When in a car, keep windows closed. Turn the air-conditioning to re-circulate. Replace air filters according to your vehicle maintenance schedule.
• N95 or Surgical Masks may offer some protection from wildfire smoke if they are fitted tightly to the face. Your child can use a mask safely if they can tell you about any problems they have with the mask. If your child is uncomfortable or says that it is hard to breathe, take it off. Use masks only for short periods where your child must be outdoors (i.e. travel between home and school). Cloth masks do NOT prevent breathing in smoke.

If you were evacuated from your home, wait until authorities share it is safe to return. Also, make sure you have:

• Safe drinking water;
• Running electricity;
• Safe road conditions;
• Structurally sound homes; and
• Sewage, ash, and debris have been removed.

Children should not be at a cleanup site or cleanup from a wildfire. Fires may leave large amounts of ash and dust contaminated with harmful chemicals such as asbestos, arsenic, and/or lead. Fires can lead to other hazardous conditions such as broken glass and exposed electric wires.

Adults should avoid tracking contaminated substances and ash back to areas frequented by children (e.g. homes, cars) on clothing or shoes. Remove shoes at the doorway, wash clothing separately, and change out of clothing prior to interacting with children or returning home. If your child has had contact with any potentially hazardous substance or has been playing in a fire-damaged area, wash their hands and any other exposed body part thoroughly. Flush their eyes, too. Remove any exposed clothing and wash separately as soon as possible.

Grief associated with loss, stress or anxiety from the wildfire disaster (or witnessing impact on pets and wildlife) may cause emotional distress. Watch for signs your child is distressed such as:

• Clinging behavior and fear of separation
• Uncooperative behaviors (temper tantrums, arguing)
• Nightmares
• Complaining of stomach aches, headaches, or feeling sick
• Fears
• Eating or sleeping too much or too little
• Risk-taking behaviors
• Withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities or friends
• Difficulty concentrating
• Uncontrollable crying