As wildfires continue to burn, they will send smoke and ash into the air, the same air we need to breathe. <\/p>\n
But there are steps you can take to breathe safely.<\/p>\n
AQMD.gov<\/a>, run by the South Coast Air Quality Management District in Diamond Bar, California, said you need to take precautions when there is a high air quality index (AQI), when you smell smoke or when there is visible ash. <\/p>\n Ash from wildfires looks like gray or white dust that is large enough to see (sand or larger) and visible in the air or on surfaces. It can contain toxins. <\/p>\n AirNow.gov<\/a> says to stay inside as much as possible and limit time outside when the air is smoky. <\/p>\n It is important to stay inside if you have heart or lung disease or other health conditions that could make breathing in wildfire-affected air dangerous. You should also have a health plan, including a five-day or more supply of medication, AQMD.gov<\/a> said.<\/p>\n The agency<\/a> said to try to keep a clean space during a wildfire. <\/p>\n An N95 mask or P100 respirator can help protect you from particulates if you must be outside, especially for an extended period.<\/p>\n They must be tight-fitting and should have the words \u201cNIOSH\u201d for the National Institute of Occupational Safety and either \u201cN95\u2033 or \u201cP100\u2033 printed on them. <\/p>\n Make sure it has two straps to go above and below the ears, not one strap or two that loop around the ears, AirNow.gov<\/a> said. <\/p>\n As for your house, AQMD.gov<\/a> said to make sure your filters in your furnace or air conditioner are clean or use a portable HEPA filter. <\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have a portable air cleaner, you can build one with a fan and several furnace filters. DIY Air Cleaner designs can be found here<\/a>. <\/p>\n