Tips for staying healthy this wildfire season

It’s Wildfire Smoke Ready Week and we’ve already had our first taste of what looks to be a long wildfire season. As I wrote last week, wildfire smoke is bad for everyone and it comes inside. Fortunately, there are simple steps we can all do to protect our indoor spaces and reduce our exposure outside!

Homes and small businesses:

Forced air for heating:

1. Close doors and windows.

2. Install the highest efficiency filter your system can use (preferably MERV 13 or better, but MERV 11 or 12 will work).

3. Turn on the fan and keep it on while you are cleaning the indoor air.

4. Have extra filters on hand and replace when dirty – high efficiency filters will fill up quickly during smoke events.

Central air for cooling:

1. Install the highest efficiency filter your system can use. Note: Some A/C systems cannot use a high efficiency filter because it may cause the coils to ice up. Investigate your system first!

2. Keep the fan turned on (decouple it from the thermostat) so it keeps cleaning.

3. Have extra filters on hand and replace when dirty.

4. If you cannot use high efficiency filters with your A/C, use portable air cleaners to clean the indoor air.

HEPA Portable air cleaners (PACs):

1. Use PACs to create clean indoor air on a room-by-room basis.

2. The PAC should use a true HEPA filter and should NOT generate ozone.

3. Size the PAC appropriately for the room it is in. (The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) should be similar to the room size. Note: CADR assumes 8’ ceilings. Vaulted ceilings will need PACs with a bigger CADR.)

4. Keep the PAC on a high setting to recirculate air through the filter 2-3 times per hour.

5. Investigate filter replacement costs and noise levels before making a purchase.

6. Keep extra filters on hand and replace when dirty.

DIY air cleaners:

1. Make your own air cleaner with a newer box fan and a furnace filter!

2. Use a box fan manufactured after 2011 for safety.

3. Attach a MERV 13 furnace filter to the back of the fan.

4. The DIY fan/filter combo is good for a room about 200 sq ft.

Commercial spaces with HVAC systems:

1. Upgrade to the highest efficiency filter possible.

2. Ensure the HVAC system is in good repair.

3. When it’s smoky outside, limit the outdoor air intake as much as possible while maintaining positive pressure.

4. Follow recommendations in ASHRAE’s Planning Framework for Protecting Commercial Building Occupants from Smoke During Wildfire Events, available here: https://www.montanawildfiresmoke.org/commercial-spaces.html

Outdoor activities/work:

1. Pay attention to changing conditions (If you cannot see five miles, the air quality is unhealthy.)

2. Check air quality at TodaysAir.mt.gov.

3. Reduce activity levels.

4. If you must be outside, consider using an N95 respirator. Respirators must seal close to the face. Stop using it if you have difficulty breathing. Cloth masks don’t work for wildfire smoke!

Learn more and prepare at MontanaWildfireSmoke.org!