Wildfire smoke: insights from a respiratory therapist
Wildfire smoke affects us all, but not always in the same way.
Ahead of summer outings under potentially smoky skies, TRU Respiratory Therapy department chair Cael Field answers some of the most common questions about the impact of wildfire smoke on health. Field is also a respiratory therapist, associate teaching professor and TRU alum.
Q: How does wildfire smoke impact respiratory health?
A: Impact can vary from mild symptoms, like irritated cough, sore throat and eye-irritation, to more severe symptoms such as airway constriction, inflammation and wheezing.
Q: How are people with respiratory conditions affected by wildfire smoke?
A: Like many health-related issues, impacts will differ with the individual. Those suffering from underlying lung conditions are at a greater risk for suffering short-term health impacts, such as those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Although, even if one were to take two people who are both experiencing a lung condition, they may not have the same experiences.
For example, if someone with COPD or asthma has their symptoms well under control (i.e. they’re taking their prescribed medications consistently), they will likely have fewer impacts than someone who is not taking those necessary steps.
Q: Is wildfire smoke inhalation an emergency?
A: For most people, health impacts from wildfire smoke should be short-lived and not require medical care.
When someone already has underlying airway symptoms though, such as constriction, inflammation and wheezing, adding wildfire smoke on top of them could make it difficult to get air in and out. That could turn into a medical emergency.
Q: What are the long-term health impacts from wildfire smoke?
A: Long-term respiratory health impacts from wildfire smoke are more difficult to predict, as there are many factors involved. These include frequency of wildfire smoke exposure, type of materials being burned and inhaled, quality of household air filtration systems, an individual’s medical history and many more.
Q: What are some ways people can reduce respiratory health risks associated with wildfire smoke?
A: What one person can do may not be the same as what someone else can, especially considering their living conditions. I suggest reviewing resources from dependable sources such as the BC Lung Association. Two actionable steps include avoiding strenuous outdoor activity when smoke is present and taking steps to improve and maintain quality air filtration.
Another thing someone can check daily is the number of fine particles in the air (such as amount of PM2.5). Multiple groups scan these particles and put the amount that’s in the air into different scales or concentrations, such as the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), BC Air Quality map, or Purple Air Project. This information is often widely available on weather websites and reports, and there are dedicated phone apps one could use. Knowing this information can help make the decision of ‘should I do that thing outside today, or should I wait and change what I was going to do’ a bit easier.
Wildfire activity—and the smoke that comes with it—is becoming increasingly common. Learn how TRU is addressing current and future wildfire challenges with TRU Wildfire.
Originally published in September 2024. Updated with new information and republished in August 2025.