Wildfire Smoke and Health

In the District of Thunder Bay, the most common threat to air quality is wildfire smoke. The role of TBDHU is to raise awareness and provide information about this health concern. This page has information on steps you can take to protect your health during wildfire season and reduce your exposure to wildfire smoke.

Wildfire Smoke

The smoke from wildfires contains gases and fine particles.. This includes toxic gases like carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and ozone. These are bad for our health, even at low levels. The mix of gases varies based on the wildfire conditions, weather, and other human emissions such as traffic-related air pollution.

Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds and even thousands of kilometers—so even when we don’t have local wildfires, we can get wildfire smoke from other parts of the province, country, and the U.S.. Air quality and visibility related to wildfire smoke can also change over short distances and from hour to hour. Because wildfires and their smoke can be hard to predict, it is good to be prepared.

Prepare

Know your risk and the risk of family members to wildfire smoke
Have an adequate supply of medication, food, and water
Have spare air filters for air filtration units
Know where you can go to get a break from the smoke
Find information about local air quality conditions

Reduce Exposure

Take it easy and limit outdoor activities, especially strenuous physical activity on smoky days. The harder you breathe, the more smoke you inhale.

If you spend time outdoors, consider wearing a well-fitted respirator mask (e.g. NIOSH, N95, or equivalent)

Keep indoor air clean

Use a portable HEPA air filter to clean air in rooms you spend most time in
Limit sources of indoor air pollution:
- Smoking and vaping
- Vacuuming (unless your vacuum has a HEPA filter)
- Burning incense or candles, or using air purifiers that make ozone
- Using wood stoves
- Using cleaning products that give off high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
If indoor temperatures are comfortable, keep outside air from coming in:
- Close windows and doors
- Set up high quality air filters
- Set HVAC to recirculate mode
- Limit use of exhaust fan when cooking
- Use air conditioning and humidification/dehumidification

Take a break from the smoke. Visit public spaces like community centers and libraries where the air tends to be cleaner and cooler.

When driving, keep windows up and air conditioning on. Use recirculated air to limit outdoor air from coming in.

Other Recommendations to Protect Your Health

Use the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to see local air quality conditions
Drink lots of water to help your body cope with the smoke
Check in on family, friends, and neighbours who may be more sensitive to smoke

Mental Health

Take care of your mental health during wildfire smoke events. It is normal to feel more anxious, stressed, sad, or socially isolated. Take care by nourishing yourself, getting sleep, exercising indoors, and staying socially connected.

If you are struggling, contact your mental health care provider or visit:

How to Reduce the Risk of Smoke Exposure

If it looks smoky outside, avoid outdoor physical activity.
Stay indoors with the windows and fresh air intakes closed.
Avoid smoke-producing appliances such as wood stoves and candles.
Do not smoke tobacco inside – smoking puts added stress on your lungs and those around you.
If you have asthma or other respiratory condition, be vigilant about avoiding smoke and taking your prescribed medicine, and talk to your health care provider about extra precautions.
Seek medical treatment if you have uncontrolled coughing, wheezing or choking, or if breathing difficulty does not subside indoors.

Health Canada Resources

Wildfire smoke 101: How to prepare for wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke 101: Combined wildfire smoke and heat
Wildfire smoke 101: Wildfire smoke and your health
Wildfire smoke 101: Using an air purifier to filter wildfire smoke
Download the WeatherCAN app, available on iOS and Android devices, and receive free notifications about weather events, extreme heat and special air quality statements.
Consult the air quality health index (AQHI) for Thunder Bay and learn how to use the AQHI to check air quality conditions in your community
Protect your indoor air from outdoor pollutants – ensuring good indoor air quality is especially important during periods of poor outdoor air quality.
If you are responsible for creating or managing community-based cleaner air spaces for wildfire smoke events, find advice and a simple checklist within the Cleaner Air Spaces Guidance.