The GASP Guide to Dealing With
Wildfire Smoke
If the last few summers have taught us anything, it’s that wildfire-fueled smoky, hazy skies aren't just a West Coast problem anymore. When wildfire smoke drifts into southwestern Pennsylvania, we’ve seen air quality conditions deteriorate rapidly.
While our region is no stranger to poor air quality, the pollution levels we’ve experienced during the past two spates of wildfire smoke soared into the hazardous range, representing the highest AQI levels many of us have seen in our lifetimes.
At the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP), we want to make sure you have the tools, tips, and know-how to protect your health and your home when the air gets rough.
Understanding AQI
First things first: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) provides standardized color codes for forecasting and reporting daily air quality. Think of it like a weather forecast, but for your lungs:
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Understanding Air Quality Alerts
The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issues an alert when the AQI is forecasted to hit Code Orange or higher.
When an alert is issued, we can all do our part to keep local pollution from adding proverbial fuel to the fire. Residents and businesses are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce fine particulate matter (or PM 2.5 for short) by:
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Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
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Reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use.
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Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) declared a statewide Code Purple Air Quality Alert for particulate matter (PM2.5) for Friday, July 17, 2026. (source)
Stay Air Aware
Staying informed is half the battle! Here’s how you can keep tabs on our local air quality.
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Sign up for alerts: GASP encourages everyone to sign up to receive alerts through the new Allegheny County notification system—check out our breakdown of what you need to know to get registered.
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Bookmark official sources: Save AirNow.gov to your browser bookmarks or download the free AirNow app on your phone.
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Follow GASP: Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky for daily alerts, clean air advocacy, and educational resources.
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Bookmark PurpleAir.com: While official regulatory monitors give us the big picture, hyper-local monitoring networks like PurpleAir use real-time sensors hosted by neighbors, schools, and community organizations. Checking local PurpleAir maps can help you see what air quality looks like block-by-block right in your neighborhood.
Track the smoke: You can track active fires and smoke plumes across the country using interactive tools like the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map. It combines official AQI data, low-cost sensor data, and satellite imagery so you can see smoke trajectories in real-time.
Find our round-up of air monitoring resources here
Protecting Your Indoor Air Quality & Creating a Clean Room
When it's bad outside, your home should be your safe haven. But outdoor smoke can sneak indoors if you aren't careful. Here’s how to protect yourself and your family:
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Run your AC on Recirculate: Make sure your central air or window unit is set to recirculate indoor air rather than pulling in smoky outdoor air.
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Upgrade your HVAC filter: Switch to a filter rated MERV 13 or higher if your system can handle it. Pro-tip: Always change your HVAC filters after prolonged periods of poor air quality from wildfire smoke!
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Skip the vacuuming and exhaust fans: Vacuuming can kick up trapped particles inside your home, while bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans can pull smoky air inside through cracks in doors and windows.
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Create a Clean Room: If you can’t filter your entire home, set up a designated "clean room"—ideally a room with few windows and doors (like your bedroom). Run a portable air purifier continuously in this room to create a safe zone.
Learn more with the EPA’s guide on Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality.
How to Make Your Own Air Purifier
We get it: Store-bought air purifiers can be pricey. Fortunately, keeping your indoor air clean doesn't have to break the bank.
With just a standard box fan and a high-efficiency filter, you can build your own budget-friendly air cleaner in minutes. Supported by guidance from health and environmental agencies, this simple setup is a game-changer for clearing microscopic smoke particles out of your living room.
Want to build a portable air cleaner with kids (at home or in a classroom)? Check out our step-by-step guide here.
Want to check out more advanced multi-filter designs or learn more about optimizing your indoor air? Dive into the full EPA DIY Air Cleaner Guide and keep your home a clean-air sanctuary.
There are many design options for DIY air cleaners. See the EPA guide here to find out more and choose what works best for you.
Gotta Be Outside? Wildfire Safety Tips
When regional air quality takes a hit from wildfire smoke, it's easy to brush off a scratchy throat or a bit of hazy air as a minor annoyance. But federal health and safety guidance reminds us smoke exposure is no joke and deserves our attention.
A comprehensive joint bulletin from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) highlights why fine particle pollution hits our bodies so hard and outlines what we can do to stay safe.
Wildfire smoke is a complex mix of gases and microscopic particles small enough to bypass our body's natural defenses and enter deep into our lungs and bloodstream. Exposure can instantly trigger symptoms like coughing, wheezing, eye irritation, chest pain, and shortness of breath—and it heavily exacerbates conditions like asthma and chronic bronchitis.
When regional air quality takes a hit from drifting wildfire smoke, our first instinct is often to head indoors and close the windows.
But for construction crews, transit operators, landscapers, and other outdoor workers across Southwestern Pennsylvania, staying inside isn't always an option.
Because heavy physical labor increases breathing rates - drawing fine particle pollution deeper and faster into the lungs - outdoor workers face some of the highest health risks during smoke events.
Official guidance from the EPA and CDC/NIOSH highlights practical steps employers and crews can take to stay protected on the job:
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Adjust Work Routines: Whenever possible, reschedule heavy physical tasks for cleaner, less smoky times of day, or move work to indoor or filtered spaces.
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Take Smarter Breaks: Build in frequent rest breaks in designated clean-air spaces, such as vehicles with recirculating AC units, or shaded areas.
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Use the Right Respirator: Standard paper dust masks and cloth coverings just won't cut it. If workers need (or want) respiratory protection, provide NIOSH-approved N95 or P100 respirators, ensuring workers are clean-shaven to maintain a tight seal.
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Watch for Double Trouble: Keep an eye out for early signs of heat-related illness, especially since wearing a respirator in hot weather requires extra hydration and frequent breaks.
Want to dive deeper into official safety protocols and occupational guidelines? Check out the full CDC/NIOSH Wildfire Smoke Workplace Guidance and explore the EPA's Outdoor Worker Protection Strategies.
Masking & Wildfire Smoke
While the best move is always to stay indoors when air pollution spikes, heading out is sometimes unavoidable. If you do have to step outside, it pays to know what actually works—and what doesn't. According to public health guidance from the EPA, CDC, and AirNow, standard cloth face coverings, paper dust masks, and bandanas simply cannot filter out the microscopic, harmful fine particles found in wildfire smoke.
To actually protect your lungs, here is what you need to:
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Look for NIOSH-Approved Labels: Choose a proper respirator explicitly marked with NIOSH and either N95 or P100.
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Get the Fit Right: A respirator only works if it forms a tight seal over your nose and under your chin. Adjust the metal nose clip so it contours to your face, and remember that facial hair breaks the seal and lets unfiltered smoke leak right in.
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Check the Straps: Opt for a mask with two straps that go around your head (one above and one below your ears). Ear-loop masks won't provide the tight seal you need.
Need a little more info? Check out the AirNow Respirator and Proper Fit Guide and explore more tips on the EPA Wildfire Smoke Guide.
When Wildfire Smoke & Extreme Heat Converge
When scorching summer temperatures collide with drifting wildfire smoke, the health risks for our communities multiply fast. High heat makes it harder for our bodies to cool down, while fine particle pollution from smoke irritates our lungs and hearts.
Combined, they create a compounding health hazard - especially for kids, outdoor workers, and folks with pre-existing respiratory or heart conditions.
According to a recent EPA factsheet, dealing with both hazards at the same time is significantly worse for our health than facing either one alone. While fine particle pollution irritates our lungs and hearts, high temperatures make it tough for our bodies to cool down.
So, how do we balance keeping cool without trapping smoke inside?
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Prioritize indoor safety: When it's dangerously hot, heat takes precedence. Use air conditioning, or create a DIY box-fan air filter to keep your indoor air clean while managing temperatures.
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Time it right: If you need to head outside, keep a close eye on local air quality reports and try to step out during cooler, clearer windows.
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Gear up: If you have to be out in smoky air, consider an N95 respirator (just remember to take frequent breaks in the shade to avoid overheating).
Want the full playbook on staying safe when the forecast turns hazardous? Check out the EPA's complete Protect Yourself from Smoke and Heat Factsheet.
Wildfire Smoke & Mental Health: How to Cope
Let’s be honest: Dealing with wildfire smoke isn't just a physical hurdle for our lungs - it can really take a toll on our mental health, too.
When smoky days force us to cancel outdoor plans, disrupt our routines, or bring back anxiety about environmental threats, it's totally normal to feel stressed, frustrated, or cooped up.
A helpful new resource from the EPA breaks down how to spot those signs of stress and offers practical ways to take care of yourself and your family:
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Check in on the facts: Keep an eye on local air quality reports so you know when it's actually safe to step outside or open the windows.
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Stay connected: Reach out to friends, family, or neighbors. If outdoor air is poor, plan to meet up in cleaner indoor public spaces.
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Cut yourself some slack: Adjust your routine when air quality dips, focus on what you can control, and don't hesitate to take a break.
Want more tips on protecting your peace of mind when regional air quality takes a hit? Check out the full EPA guide on Coping with the Stress of Wildfire Smoke.
