Wildfire Smoke
Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of miles. Its fine particles (PM2.5) go deep into the lungs and can worsen asthma and heart disease, and cause breathing problems even in healthy workers.
- Construction
- General Industry
- State-specific
- California
- Oregon
- Washington
Check the air
Use the Air Quality Index (AQI) for PM2.5 at AirNow.gov or a weather app. The higher the number, the worse the air.
| AQI | Category |
|---|---|
| 0–50 | Good |
| 51–100 | Moderate |
| 101–150 | Unhealthy for sensitive groups |
| 151–200 | Unhealthy |
| 201–300 | Very unhealthy |
| 301+ | Hazardous |
Protecting workers
- Move work indoors to filtered air, reschedule, or reduce heavy outdoor work when the AQI is high.
- Provide N95 respirators (properly worn) for outdoor work in smoke. Cloth and surgical masks don’t filter fine particles well.
- Keep vehicle and equipment cabs closed with air recirculating.
- Watch for symptoms: coughing, wheezing, chest pain, trouble breathing. Get medical help if severe.
State rules
California, Oregon and Washington have wildfire smoke rules that require employers to monitor the AQI and take steps, such as providing N95s, when it reaches set levels. See their state plan pages.
Standards & references
Last updated: