Many factors influence a person’s sensitivity to smoke, including severity and duration of smoke exposure and a person’s health. Your health and the health of your family are important. There are things you can do to minimize the impacts of smoke on you and your family.
Smoke is made up primarily of small particles, gases, and water vapor. These particles can be inhaled deeply into the lungs, damaging lung tissue and causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
Regardless of the source, smoke is a form of air pollution that can pose a health risk. Symptoms of short-term smoke exposure can include:
Many factors influence a person’s sensitivity to smoke, including severity and duration of smoke exposure and a person’s health. Smoke may worsen symptoms for people who have pre-existing health conditions and those who are particularly sensitive to air pollution. Sensitive groups include:
The Central Oregon Fire Information website is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The Nature Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior — Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife through a subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.