Wildfire smoke is made up of gases and tiny particles that come from trees, plants, and other materials when they burn. The biggest health concern is fine particles, called PM2.5. These particles are about 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair. Because they are so small, they can travel deep into your lungs and even enter your bloodstream. This can affect your lungs, heart, and blood vessels.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) tells you how health the air is to breathe. The AQI uses six color-coded levels. As the AQI number goes us, the air becomes less healthy to breathe. Most days in Minnesota, the AQI is in the green range. During wildfire season, it may rise to the yellow, orange, or higher levels.

• The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) watches air quality and predicts AQI levels across the state. The National Weather Service (NWS) shares this information with local communities.
• When wildfire smoke is expected to make the air unhealthy, these agencies may issue an air quality alert.

Some people are more likely to become sick from wildfire smoke than others.

• Children and Infants: Children and Infant’s lungs are still growing, so smoke can affect them more than adults. Children spend more time playing outside and breathe faster during physical activity, which means they can breathe in more smoke.
• Older Adults: adults over age 60 may have a higher risk of health problems from wildfire smoke. Many older adults have heart or lung conditions that can become worse when the air is smoky.
• People with Heart or Lung Disease, or Diabetes: People with conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, or diabetes, are more likely to have serious health problems when air quality is poor.
• People with fewer resources: Some people are exposed to more air pollution because they live near busy roads or industrial areas. Some people may also have a harder time avoiding smoke if they do not have air conditioning or air cleaners.
• Pregnant Women: Breathing wildfire smoke during pregnancy may affect both the mother and the developing baby. Studies suggest that smoke exposure may increase the risk of problems such as low birth weight or diabetes during pregnancy. More research is needed, but it is a good idea to limit smoke exposure whenever possible.
• Outdoor workers: People who work outside spend more time breathing smoky air. Workers who do physically demanding jobs breathe faster, which increases the amount of smoke they inhale.

• St. Louis County Public Health offers home visiting for individuals aged 0-18 who have concerns about their asthma control Child & Adolescent Health
• Airnow.gov https://fire.airnow.gov/
• MPCA Air Quality page Current air quality conditions | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• EPA Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) | US EPA
• MDH Wildfire Smoke website Wildfire Smoke - MN Dept. of Health
• SLC PH Air Quality page Air Quality
• How to make your own air cleaner  DIY Air Cleaners | US EPA
• Masking Resources
  • Respirator and Wildfire Smoke Information
  • How to wear and N95 mask