As the California wildfires rage, the San Francisco Bay Area is seeing some of the worst air quality ever recorded in the area. If you are in the affected area, take precautions to protect you and your family from the poor air quality. Smoke in the air can contain tiny particles that can get into your lungs and irritate your eyes, nose, throat and lungs.

Poor air quality can worsen asthma symptoms. Children and those with respiratory disease are at high risk for asthma episodes when the air quality is poor. Check your local air quality at AirNow.gov.

Here are some ways you can protect yourself and your family during and after the fires:

• Stay indoors as much as possible and reduce physical activity.
• Carry your quick-relief medicine with you wherever you go.
• If you must go outdoors, wear a mask with a particulate respirator. Look for NIOSH and N95 or P100 printed on the mask. It should have two straps and should cover your nose and chin.
• Keep children in areas with cleaner air. Masks with particulate respirators are not recommended for children because they may not fit properly.
• If you have to clean up ash on your property, wear a mask with a particulate respirator. Wash your clothes and shower as soon as possible after exposure.
• Keep children away from areas with ash until it has been cleaned.
• Polluted outdoor air can find its way into your home. Improve your indoor air quality to keep the outside air from affecting your inside air as much as possible.
• If your home has water damage, take steps to protect yourself from mold.

Smoke and ash contain harmful particles that can irritate even healthy lungs. The impact on those with asthma can be serious. As those in the affected and surrounding areas take steps to prevent asthma symptoms, we hope you and your loved ones stay safe. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the wildfires. 

How Can You Help Those Affected?

There is a great need for masks and most local suppliers are sold out. If you would like to donate masks to the area, you can through one of these Amazon wish lists. These are provided by local volunteers and are not affiliated with AAFA.

• Napa Country
• Sonoma County
• California Wildfire Masks

Most of the local shelters and food banks are at capacity and not currently accepting donations of goods. NBC Bay Area is keeping an up to date list of the current needs.