Wildfires

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Families and Communities Health Professionals


Wildfires are unplanned blazes that start in natural areas like forests, grasslands and prairies. These flames can spread quickly to nearby communities. Children are especially vulnerable to health effects during wildfires due to their developing lungs and other factors.

Children who breathe in wildfire smoke can have chest pain and tightness; trouble breathing; wheezing; coughing; nose, throat, and eye burning; dizziness; or other symptoms. Children with asthma, allergies, or other chronic health conditions may have more trouble breathing when smoke or ash is present.

Family and Communities

Being prepared and knowing steps to take before, during and after a wildfire can help keep your family safe. See Talking to Children about Wildfires and other Natural Disasters from the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry)

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:

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.
  • 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 will 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

If you're concerned about nearby wildfires, your regional Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) has staff who can also talk with you about concerns over the health effects of wildfires.

Protecting Kids from Wildfire Smoke: Actions for CA Schools

Readiness and Emergency Management in Schools Technical Assistance Center

Health Professionals

Wildfires expose children to environmental hazards, e.g., fire, smoke, psychological stress, and the byproducts of combustion of wood, plastics, and other chemicals released from burning structures and furnishings. Children are in a critical period of development when toxic exposures can have profound negative effects, and their exploratory behavior often places them in direct contact with materials that adults would avoid.

Wildfire smoke can persist for days or even months, depending on the extent of the wildfire. Symptoms of wildfire smoke inhalation can include:

  • coughing,
  • wheezing,
  • difficulty breathing and chest tightness,
  • respiratory tract and eye burning,
  • chest pain,
  • dizziness or lightheadedness.

Air pollution from wildfires can exacerbate asthma symptoms and trigger attacks. Even children without asthma could experience respiratory symptoms, resulting in school absences and other limitations of normal childhood activities.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop an online course, Wildfire Smoke and Your Patients' Heath. This course updates participants about the health effects associated with wildfire smoke and actions for people to take before and during a wildfire to reduce exposure. This course is intended for physicians, registered nurses, and others involved in clinical or health education.

Resources for health professionals:

EPA Wildfires

Additional PEHSU Resources:

Regional PEHSU Websites


Updated July 9, 2024

Funder Disclaimer

The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU) are supported by cooperative agreement FAIN: NU61TS000356 with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR).  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also provides support through Inter-Agency Agreement 24TSS2400078 with CDC/ATSDR. The Public Health Institute supports the PEHSU as the National Program Office. The content on this website has not been formally disseminated by CDC/ATSDR or the EPA and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy. Use of trade names that may be mentioned is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the CDC/ATSDR or EPA.

The information contained on this website should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your/your child’s primary care provider. There may be variations in treatment that your provider may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.