Wildfire Smoke Safety

wildfire in forest

Stay safe while working in smoky air

The Pacific Northwest farm and forestry workforce face the threat of co-exposures during the late harvest season. Essential work during the COVID-19 pandemic overlaps with extreme temperatures during summer heat waves and wildfire smoke.

Exposure to wildfire smoke is associated with respiratory conditions and can exacerbate underlying asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A 2018 student-led PNASH research study found that nearly 75% of surveyed farmworkers near Mattawa, Washington reported being exposed to an unhealthy amount of wildfire smoke on the job, and 100% of respondents reported that they had little or no information about how to protect themselves from smoke.

Employer Checklists

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WA Employer Checklist

English Spanish

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OR Employer Checklist

English Spanish

Workplace Requirements

Recommended resources for wildfire smoke safety

Northwest regional resources

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Washington

WA Smoke Blog
WA Dept. of Health
WA Air Quality Monitoring Map
WA Air Quality Advisor (WAQA)
WA Dept. of Labor
WA Rulemaking

Oregon

OR Smoke Blog 
OR Health Authority
OR Air Quality Monitoring Map
OR Dept of Labor
OR Rulemaking

Idaho

ID Smoke Blog
ID Dept. of Health & Welfare
ID Air Quality Monitoring Map
ID Department of Environmental Quality

Alaska

AK Fire Info
AK Dept. of Health & Social Services
AK Air Quality Monitoring
AK Wildfire Smoke
AK Wildfire Smoke Particulate Matter Information

Cal/OSHA Worker Safety and Health in Wildfire Regions

Additional resources for wildfire smoke preparedness

PNASH Resources

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Ag Producers and Wildfire Smoke

Video produced by the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (HICAHS) Center, What Agricultural Producers Need to Know About Wildfire Smoke.

Fan Filter

DIY Low-Cost Fan Filter

A simple box fan filter will help keep your indoor air clean. Available in Spanish and English. Developed by the University of Washington EDGE Center.

training poster

Wildfire Smoke Posters, Guides, Checklists

Developed by the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (WCAHS). Available in Spanish and English.

PNASH Research