Wildfire smoke and evacuation safety
Evacuate immediately when officials tell you to. When smoke is bad, stay in a closed-off room with a portable air cleaner and wear an N95 mask if you must go outside.
Wildfires spread quickly, and their smoke can travel hundreds of miles. Check your local air quality on AirNow and follow evacuation orders from local officials.
During: stay safe
- Evacuate right away if authorities tell you to, and keep your phone charged.
- Check air quality at AirNow.gov or the Fire and Smoke Map.
- Choose a room you can close off from outside air and run a portable air cleaner in it. Set central air to recirculate and use high-efficiency filters.
- Use an N95 mask to limit smoke inhalation if you have to be outside.
- If you're trapped, call 911, give your location, and turn on lights to help rescuers find you.
Source: (Ready.gov: Wildfires)
After: recover
- Don't go home until officials say it's safe.
- Avoid hot ash, charred trees and smoldering debris; the ground can hold heat pockets.
- Wear long sleeves, long pants, gloves, sturdy shoes and a respirator for cleanup, and wet debris to keep dust down.
- Photograph all damage and make an inventory before contacting your insurer.
Official sources
- AirNow air qualityYour local AQI · EPA/AirNow
- Fire and Smoke MapFires and smoke near you · AirNow
- InciWebOfficial wildfire incident updates · U.S. Forest Service
- Ready.gov: WildfiresPrepare, evacuate, return home · Ready.gov
- EPA Smoke-Ready ToolboxProtecting your health from smoke · EPA
Get help
- Find shelterOpen shelters and hotel help
- Mental health & familySomeone to talk to, finding family
- FEMA & money helpAid, loans and free legal help
- Volunteer & donateHelp out the right way
- Safety firstGas, power lines, CO, floodwater
- After the storm: housing, mental health, money
- Insurance photo checklist
Live alerts for your area: pick your state · Current weather events
Common questions
What mask protects against wildfire smoke?
Ready.gov recommends an N95 mask to protect yourself from smoke inhalation. Cloth and surgical masks don't filter the fine particles in smoke well.
How do I keep smoke out of my home?
Ready.gov says to close off a room from outside air, run a portable air cleaner in it, use high-efficiency filters in central air, and set the system to recirculate.
When can I go home after a wildfire?
Only when authorities say it is safe. Watch for hot ash, charred trees and smoldering debris, which can still burn you or start a new fire.