Wildfire Smoke Resources from HelpSierraBreathe
Wildfire smoke contains fine particles (PM2.5) that are small enough to reach deep into your lungs. HelpSierraBreathe created this guide to help you and your neighbors stay protected when smoke rolls in: fitting an N95, understanding air quality readings, cleaning the air inside your home, and finding reliable, current information.
Fitting an N95 Mask: A HelpSierraBreathe Guide
Cloth masks, bandanas and loose surgical masks offer little protection against the fine particles in wildfire smoke. An N95 respirator filters at least 95% of airborne particles — but only when it forms a proper seal against your face.
Cup the mask in your hand with the nose piece at your fingertips and the straps hanging down. Position it over your nose and mouth. Bring the top strap over your head so it rests high at the back, then pull the bottom strap down behind your neck, below your ears. Using the fingertips of both hands, press the metal nose piece so it shapes to the bridge of your nose. Check the seal: cover the mask with your hands and exhale sharply. If air escapes around the edges, readjust the straps and nose piece and test again. Swap in a new mask once it becomes dirty, damaged or wet, or when breathing through it gets harder.
Keep in mind: facial hair breaks the seal, N95 masks are not made to fit young children, and N95s do not guard against gases like carbon monoxide. If you have heart or lung disease, are pregnant, or struggle to breathe while wearing one, check with a health care provider.
Reading the Air Quality Index (AQI): A HelpSierraBreathe Guide
AQI Level What to do 0–50 Good Air quality is satisfactory. Enjoy normal activities. 51–100 Moderate Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting long or heavy outdoor exertion. 101–150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Children, older adults, pregnant people and people with heart or lung conditions should cut back time outdoors and wear an N95 outside. 151–200 Unhealthy Everyone should limit outdoor activity, wear an N95 outside and keep indoor air clean. 201–300 Very Unhealthy Avoid outdoor activity and spend as much time as possible in a room with filtered air. 301+ Hazardous Stay indoors with filtered air, follow local health officials and be ready to evacuate if ordered.
Smoke conditions can change fast, so check the latest readings before going outdoors.
Indoor Air Cleaning Tips from HelpSierraBreathe
When smoke is thick, keep windows and doors shut and switch air conditioners to recirculate. Place a portable HEPA air purifier in the room where you spend the most time, especially the bedroom. You can make a low-cost DIY air cleaner by attaching a MERV 13 (or higher) furnace filter to a box fan. Taping four filters into a cube with a box fan on top — a Corsi-Rosenthal box — works even better. Never leave a DIY fan filter running unattended. Avoid adding indoor pollution during smoke events: skip candles, incense and frying, and don’t sweep or vacuum without a HEPA filter. If you can’t clean the air at home, look for libraries, community centers or other public buildings with filtered air.
Trusted Wildfire and Smoke Links from HelpSierraBreathe
AirNow Fire and Smoke Map : current air quality, smoke plumes and fire locations. AirNow.gov : official AQI readings and forecasts by ZIP code. PurpleAir Map : crowdsourced neighborhood air sensors; use alongside official readings. CAL FIRE Incidents : active California wildfires and evacuation information. InciWeb : federal wildfire incident information, including fires on national forest land in California and Nevada. EPA Smoke-Ready Toolbox : guides on preparing for smoke and protecting your health. CDC Wildfire Safety : health advice before, during and after a wildfire. Mask Oakland : our partner buying and shipping N95 masks to the coalition.
Need masks for your community? Get in touch with HelpSierraBreathe. Want to help more people breathe safely? Donate or volunteer.