As wildfires continue to impact communities across the western United States, millions of people are being reminded that the effects of these events extend far beyond the fire line itself. Smoke can travel hundreds of miles, affecting communities that may never see flames but still experience hazardous air quality.
Recent wildfire activity in Colorado is one example of how quickly conditions can change. Even families living outside evacuation zones may notice hazy skies, the smell of smoke, or local air quality alerts encouraging people to remain indoors.
When outdoor air becomes unhealthy, our homes naturally become our place of refuge. But that raises an important question:
How clean is the air inside your home?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a practical strategy that many homeowners have never considered: creating a clean room. This simple preparation can help reduce exposure to wildfire smoke and create a healthier indoor environment until outdoor conditions improve.
Why Wildfire Smoke Is Different
Wildfire smoke contains microscopic particles known as PM2.5, which are small enough to travel deep into the lungs. These particles can irritate the respiratory system and may be especially concerning for children, older adults, and individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions.
Many people assume that closing windows completely protects them from smoke, but that’s not always the case.
Smoke can enter homes through small gaps around doors and windows, ventilation systems, and every time an exterior door is opened. Depending on your home’s construction and HVAC system, some smoke infiltration may occur even when everything appears sealed.
That’s why indoor air quality becomes just as important as outdoor air quality during wildfire season.
The EPA's Clean Room Strategy
One of the EPA’s most practical recommendations is to designate a clean room inside your home.
Rather than attempting to improve the air quality throughout the entire house, a clean room creates one dedicated space where your family can spend the most time during periods of poor outdoor air quality.
The EPA recommends choosing a room that:
- Has as few windows and doors as possible.
- Can be easily closed off from the rest of the home.
- Is large enough for family members to spend extended periods comfortably.
- Does not contain fireplaces or appliances that introduce additional pollutants.
Once selected, keep windows and exterior doors closed as much as possible while smoke is present outdoors.
Reduce Indoor Sources of Pollution
Creating a clean room is only part of the strategy.
The EPA also recommends limiting activities that generate additional indoor pollutants while wildfire smoke is affecting your community.
Whenever possible, avoid:
- Burning candles.
- Using wood-burning fireplaces.
- Smoking indoors.
- Frying foods that create smoke.
- Vacuuming if it stirs up fine particles already present in the home.
Reducing these indoor pollution sources helps your clean room remain as effective as possible.
Air Cleaning Plays an Important Role
Another key component of the EPA’s guidance is improving the quality of the air inside your designated clean room.
Portable air cleaners and properly maintained HVAC systems can help reduce airborne particles when used appropriately. Regularly replacing HVAC filters and following manufacturer recommendations are also important parts of maintaining healthier indoor air.
Many homeowners also choose to incorporate advanced air purification technologies into their broader indoor air quality strategy. Solutions featuring ActivePure® Technology can complement existing filtration and ventilation systems as part of a layered approach designed to support cleaner indoor environments.
Just as wildfire preparedness often includes multiple safety measures, indoor air quality is most effective when approached through multiple layers of protection.
Prepare Before Smoke Arrives
One of the biggest lessons from recent wildfire seasons is that preparation should begin before the air quality deteriorates.
Waiting until smoke is already filling the sky can make it more difficult to gather supplies, improve filtration, or create a designated clean room.
Instead, homeowners can take proactive steps by:
- Identifying the best room in the home to serve as a clean room.
- Checking HVAC filters and replacing them if needed.
- Maintaining air purification equipment according to manufacturer recommendations.
- Monitoring local air quality conditions during wildfire season.
- Creating a family plan before smoke events occur.
Small preparations today can make a meaningful difference when outdoor conditions change unexpectedly.
Healthy Indoor Air Starts Before an Emergency
Wildfires remind us that some environmental conditions are beyond our control. What we can control, however, is how prepared we are inside our homes.
The EPA’s clean room guidance provides a practical, science-based approach to reducing exposure to wildfire smoke while creating a safer indoor environment for your family.
Whether you’re experiencing wildfire smoke today or preparing for future events, taking proactive steps to improve indoor air quality is an investment in your home’s resilience and your family’s well-being.
Because preparedness doesn’t begin when smoke appears on the horizon.
It begins with the air you breathe every day.
References & Further Reading
1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Create a Clean Room to Protect Indoor Air Quality During Wildfire Smoke Events. https://www.epa.gov/emergencies-iaq/create-clean-room-protect-indoor-air-quality-during-wildfire
2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). https://www.epa.gov/emergencies-iaq/wildfires-and-indoor-air-quality-iaq
3. AirNow.gov. Fire and Smoke Map. https://fire.airnow.gov/
