Wildfire Smoke - EHS

Wildfire Smoke Information

If you have an urgent health condition or medical need ... call 911.

Maps of current air conditions: 

  • AirNow.gov - Official Air Quality - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
  • fire.airnow.gov  - Official Fire and Smoke Map
  • Purple Air CSUCI 1 - Not an official source monitored by the government.

    However, the website can provide more location specific information that may capture variations due to microclimates and topography. 

AirNow.gov  

    • Air Quality Index (AQI) is a weighted 24-hour rolling average of particulates in the air combined with weighting factors identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 
    • AQI is mostly commonly measured in PM2.5, which refers to fine inhalable particles with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller. The smaller particles get past defenses in the upper respiratory system and go deeper into the lungs, causing the most concern.
    • AirNow.Gov is an official source that uses high quality air monitors that are designed to monitor air quality on a regional basis. This website provides average air quality over a 24-hour period, as well as forecasts for future air quality. The Cal/OSHA Protection from Wildfire Smoke Rule specifically refers to the AirNow site. Reporting the “official U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI)”, AirNow is a partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Park Service, NASA, Centers for Disease Control, and tribal, state, and local air quality agencies

PurpleAir.Com

    • CSUCI 1 Purple Air is a source that provides more granular details on air quality a network of ad-hoc sensors that community members link to the website. It is not an official source monitored by the government. However, the website can provide more location specific information that may capture variations due to microclimates and topography. Many campuses already rely on PurpleAir to inform decision making, and many have purchased and deployed their own sensors to have more data points to consider about local air quality.  PurpleAir, should be used as an additional source, not purely an exclusive source.

CSU TRAINING:

  • CSU-Protection from Wildfire Smoke This course is designed for awareness and to alert people of the hazards related to wildfire smoke and inform on the air quality index uses. The enrollee for this training will have a better understanding of what the CSU’s do to protect employee’s/enrollees from wildfire when it becomes hazardous.   

California Department of Public Health (CDPH)  guidance document

Wildfire Smoke: Considerations for California’s Public Health Officials.
While public health officials are the primary audience, this document contains valuable information that may be helpful to emergency management professionals and others involved in dealing with the impacts of wildfire smoke episodes.

Additional Information

For the latest wildfire information in your area, monitor your local media, including television, radio and internet.

Wildfire smoke contains many air pollutants, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and ozone that are known to cause health issues. Particulate matter can trigger respiratory problems and asthma. Those most at risk include the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic respiratory and heart conditions. Children are also at a higher risk as they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults, and wildfire smoke can irritate their still-developing lungs.

Protect Yourself During a Wildfire

During a wildfire event, the first things you should protect are yourself and your loved ones. If you are ordered to evacuate your home or the area, do so immediately. All else is secondary.

Emergency Evacuation Preparedness

Wildfires can lead to emergency evacuations and it's important to follow your local officials when evacuations are ordered. If you're looking for current evacuation information, monitor local news outlets (television, radio, etc.) as well as official social media sites for emergency responders (sheriff, police, fire). Be sure to follow the directions of safety personnel to ensure your safety and the safety of first responders. If you are ordered to evacuate your home or the area, do so immediately. Time is crucial!

Here are the "P's of Preparedness" to help you organize your evacuations efforts:

  • People
  • Pets
  • Papers (important documents)
  • Phone numbers or phones
  • Prescriptions (medications and glasses)
  • Pictures (and other mementos)
  • PCs (for the info stored on them)
  • Plastic (credit cards, cash)

When a wildfire is threatening your area, follow these guidelines:

  • Monitor local area radio or television states for the latest wildfire information.
  • Be prepared to evacuate on a moment's notice.
  • Make sure you have an emergency kit, complete with medications, copies of prescriptions and medical supplies.
  • Locate nearby shelters, including ones that take pets.
  • Arrange to stay with family or friends outside the threatened area.

For more information, visit these websites:

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