Smoke Information

Current Fire and Smoke Information

The U.S. EPA's AirNow Fire and Smoke Map shows fine particulates from smoke along with air quality and smoke impact information.

For help with the map, check out this video on How to Use the Fire and Smoke Map.

Download our Smoke Impact Informational Flyer for posting and sharing. It is also available in Spanish.

Visit our Air Quality Monitoring page to see the current air quality in Placer County.

To learn more about particulate air monitors, sensors, and understanding and using their data, check out this fact sheet on How to Interpret Online Monitoring Information.

The following charts can be used as guides on when to limit your activity and exposure outdoors.

How to Tell if Smoke is Affecting You

Not everyone who is exposed to smoke will have health problems. Most healthy adults and children will recover quickly from smoke exposures and may not suffer long-term consequences. However, certain sensitive populations may experience more severe short-term and chronic symptoms from smoke exposure.

The level and duration of exposure, age, individual susceptibility, including the presence or absence of pre-existing lung or heart disease, and other factors play significant roles in determining whether or not someone will experience smoke-related health problems.

Smoke can cause:

Asthma Exacerbations
Chest Pain
Coughing

Headaches
Irritated Sinuses
Nausea
Runny Nose

Scratchy Throat
Shortness of Breath
Stinging Eyes

Heart Disease

If you have heart or lung disease, smoke might make your symptoms worse. People who have heart disease may experience:

Chest pain
Fatigue
Rapid heartbeat
Shortness of breath

Additional Information

Further information on the health threat from smoke can be found on the following pages.

Download our Smoke Impact Informational Flyer for posting and sharing. It is also available in Spanish.

Specific Strategies on Reducing your Exposure to Smoke

Here are some tips you can follow to protect you and your family members from unhealthy air:

Stay indoors: Choose indoor options when air pollution levels are unhealthy. Keep your windows and doors closed. Seal large gaps as much as possible. Use your air conditioning system and place it on recirculation mode, if available. This strategy will depend on how clean the indoor air is. A tightly-closed, air conditioned house with the air conditioner set on recirculate is best. Staying inside with the windows and doors closed reduces exposure, however, fine particles can still be a problem inside. Very leaky homes and buildings may offer little protection and require relocation to somewhere with better air quality.
Avoid indoor sources of air pollution: Reduce your tobacco use. Reduce painting, using solvents, and adhesives. These all contribute to poorer indoor air quality. Limit or reduce vacuuming or using a clothes dryer at these times.
Reduce outdoor activity: Reducing your physical activity in outdoor areas lowers the amount of polluted air your body intakes. Curtail your involvement in outdoor activities and events that require prolonged exposure and strenuous exercise or sports participation.
Use an Air Cleaner Device: Consider using a HEPA air cleaner or a CARB certified air cleaning device which can greatly reduce indoor particle levels .
Construct a temporary box fan filter: Here are directions that can be used to put together a temporary box fan air filter.
Stay alert: Listen to your local news and weather forecasts and air quality advisories provided by the Placer County Air Pollution Control District. If the air quality in your area worsens, take necessary precautions and plan your activities accordingly.

Smoke Composition

Smoke is a complex mixture of particles and gases which includes:

Carbon dioxide
Carbon monoxide
Hydrocarbons
Other organic chemicals, nitrogen oxides, trace minerals, and several thousand other compounds
Particulate matter
Water vapor

The actual composition of smoke depends on the fuel type (what exactly is burning), the temperature of the fire, and the wind conditions. While the ash and smoke are visual reminders of the pollution currently impacting an area, be even more cautious of the fine particles you can't see. These particles, which are invisible to the naked eye, bypass our natural defense system and lodge into our lungs. They can cause irritation, and over the long-term, decreased lung function. They also make us more susceptible to developing diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly cancer.

Smoke From Residential Backyard Burning

Residential backyard burning is allowed in Placer County only on a permissive burn day and in areas of the county that allow burning. To check the burn day status, visit our Burn Days page.

Smoke may be visible from residential burn piles. If the smoke from a burn pile is causing a nuisance to the community, if the burning is being done on a no burn day, or if illegal material is being burned, you can submit an online complaint to the District.

Prevention and Preparation

Smoke can pose health hazards, especially if it moves into a community unexpectedly. Reducing your exposure by using common-sense precautions is the best way to protect oneself from smoke.

Preparation Tips

Consider some of the following tips to help you prepare in the event of smoke impacts.

Have a several day supply of non-perishable groceries that do not require cooking, as cooking can add to indoor pollutant levels.
Consult a health-care provider if you develop symptoms suggestive of lung or heart problems as soon as possible.
Be alert to Public Service Announcements (PSAs).
Be aware that outdoor events, such as athletic games or competitions, may be postponed or canceled if smoke levels become elevated.

If you have any questions about air quality, please call the Air District at 530-745-2330.