{"id":64576,"date":"2026-03-13T08:53:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T14:53:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=64576"},"modified":"2026-03-13T10:43:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T16:43:53","slug":"how-to-stay-safe-when-wildfires-impact-air-quality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/how-to-stay-safe-when-wildfires-impact-air-quality\/","title":{"rendered":"How to stay safe when wildfires generate unhealthy air quality"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Wildfires cause poor air quality that can be especially dangerous to people with lung and heart problems. Photo: Getty Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Smoke from wildfires can be especially dangerous for people with health conditions.<\/p>\n

If your eyes are itchy, you’re smelling smoke or you’re coughing or struggling to breathe, it’s vital to reduce your exposure to smoky air.<\/p>\n

To learn more about how people can stay safe from wildfire smoke, we consulted with\u00a0Dr. Fernando Holguin<\/a>, a lung specialist and critical care doctor who runs the severe asthma clinic at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Holguin answered some of the top questions about wildfire smoke and how to protect yourself.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s in smoke and how is it harmful?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

People with health challenges should be protecting themselves from poor air quality,\u00a0said Holguin, who is also a professor of pulmonary sciences and critical care<\/a> at University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cPollution from fires causes inflammation which narrows passages in our airways. That causes shortness of breath and tightness in the chest,\u201d Holguin said.<\/p>\n

Wildfire smoke contains a mix of gases and tiny particles that come from the burning trees, plant material and other things that are fueling the fire.<\/p>\n

According to the CDC, wildfire smoke in the air\u00a0can pose a risk<\/a>\u00a0for anyone. Those most at risk include the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic respiratory and heart conditions. Children are also at a higher risk as they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults, and wildfire smoke can irritate their still-developing lungs.<\/p>\n

Wildfire smoke in the air can sting your eyes and irritate your throat and lungs, resulting in coughing, wheezing, or even an asthma attack or bronchitis. It can cause unexpected symptoms such as chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, headaches, a runny nose and fatigue.<\/p>\n

Who is at greatest risk from inhaling smoky air from wildfires?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The short answer is that people who are the youngest, oldest and sickest are most vulnerable to bad outcomes if they breathe air polluted from wildfires. In addition, pregnant women are at high risk if they are exposed to excessive air pollution.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe risks are most severe for the extremes in ages (children and older adults) and for people with underlying pulmonary diseases,\u201d Holguin said. \u201cForest fire pollution is very dangerous to cardiovascular patients and people with diabetes, obesity and metabolic problems.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more from experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> about the dangers of wildfire pollution and how to stay safe.<\/p>\n

Do people at high risk get sick immediately after exposure to air pollution?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Dr. Fernando Holguin is an expert on wildfire smoke and the impacts of air pollution on people. He runs a clinic at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital for people with severe asthma. Photo by Sonya Doctorian, UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sometimes vulnerable people get sick immediately after exposure and visits to hospital ERs can spike on days when monitors detect high pollution levels.<\/p>\n

But Holguin\u2019s previous research has found that there is sometimes a lag.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou get exposed to high levels of air pollution and there\u2019s a lot of inflammation. We see many people coming in for help three days later,\u201d Holguin said.<\/p>\n

The timing of dangerous exposure depends on the individual.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor particulate matter and cardiovascular disease, the day of the exposure is really important,\u201d he said. \u201cFor people with respiratory illnesses, there can be a delay of a few days before symptoms worsen.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the air quality is bad, how do people with underlying health conditions know if they need medical help? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cPeople who have underlying respiratory and cardiovascular disease often wonder if they should see their doctor when air pollution levels are high,\u201d Holguin said.<\/p>\n

He gives his patients this key advice: \u201cIf you are ever scared, you should seek help immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n

What can people do to protect themselves from wildfire smoke?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cThe best way to prevent adverse effects associated with wildfires is to reduce the amount of pollution you\u2019re exposed to,\u201d said Holguin.<\/p>\n

When wildfires are bad and air quality is poor, Holguin encourages vulnerable people to protect themselves in the following ways:<\/p>\n