WILDFIRE SMOKE FACTSHEET

Protect yourself from harmful ash when you clean up after a wildfire. Cleanup work can expose you to 

ash and other products of the fire that may irritate your eyes, nose, or skin and cause coughing and other 

health effects. Ash inhaled deeply into lungs may cause asthma attacks and make it difficult to breathe.

Ash is made up of larger and tiny particles (dust, dirt, and soot). Ash deposited on surfaces both indoors

and outdoors can be inhaled if it becomes airborne when you clean up. Ash from burned structures is 

generally more hazardous than forest ash.

Avoid direct contact with ash. If you get ash 

on your skin, in your eyes, or in your mouth, 

wash it off as soon as you can.

People with heart or lung disease, including

asthma, older adults, children, and pregnant 

women should use special caution around 

ash.

Children and pets: Children should not be 

nearby while you clean up ash. Do not allow 

children to play in ash. Clean ash off all 

children’s toys before use. Clean ash off pets 

and other animals. Keep pets away from 

contaminated sites. 

Clothing: Wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, 

long pants, shoes and socks to avoid skin 

contact. Goggles are also a good idea

Contact with wet ash can cause chemical 

burns or skin irritation. Change your shoes 

and clothing before you leave the cleanup

site to avoid tracking ash offsite, into your 

car, or other places.

Protecting your lungs: Wear a tight-fitting 

respirator that filters ash particles from the 

air you breathe to help protect your lungs. 

Select a respirator that has been tested and 

approved by NIOSH and has the words 

“NIOSH” and either “N95” or “P100” printed 

on it. These have two straps and are 

available online, and at many hardware 

stores and pharmacies. Buy respirators in a 

size that can be tightened over your mouth 

and nose with a snug seal to your face.

Surgical masks and one-strap dust masks will 

not protect your lungs. They are not 

designed to seal tightly to the face. If you 

have heart or lung disease talk to your 

doctor before using a respirator or working 

around ash.

Use an N95 respirator and 

avoid skin contact with ash.

Protect Yourself from Ash
Cleanup: Avoid stirring up or sifting through 

ash as much as you can. Avoid actions that 

kick ash particles up into the air, such as dry 

sweeping. Before sweeping indoor and 

outdoor hard surfaces, mist them with water

to keep dust down. Follow with wet 

mopping. Use a damp cloth or wet mop on 

lightly dusted areas. When you wet down 

ash, use as little water as you can. 

Vacuum: Use a high-efficiency particulate air 

(HEPA)-type vacuum to clean dusty surfaces. 

Don’t use a typical household vacuum or a 

shop vacuum. They will send the collected 

dust or ash out into the air. Don’t use leaf 

blowers or do anything else that will put ash 

into the air.

Food and Water: Wash any home-grown 

fruits or vegetables from trees or gardens 

where ash has fallen. Avoid bringing food or 

eating at the affected site, unless you keep 

the food in a sealed container.

Wash your hands well before eating. Check

with your drinking water provider to be sure 

your water is safe to drink. 

Disposal: Collected ash may be disposed of 

in the regular trash. Ash should be stored in 

plastic bags or other containers to prevent it 

from being stirred up. If you suspect 

hazardous waste, including asbestos, is 

present, contact your local hazardous waste 

authorities regarding appropriate disposal. 

Avoid washing ash into storm drains.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · EPA- 452/F-18-004

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Get air quality information: Check your local news, the airnow.gov website, or your state air quality agency’s website.

Learn about home air cleaners: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/guide-air-cleaners-home

Find certified air cleaning devices: http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/aircleaners/certified.htm

Learn how to use an N95 respirator mask: http://www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/ResourcesAndLinks/Languages/

Documents/English/ENG_ProtectLungsSmoke7208color.pdf

Learn more about wildfire smoke: Wildfire Smoke, A Guide for Public Health Officials:

https://www3.epa.gov/airnow/wildfire_may2016.pdf

For more information: