How to Protect Indoor Air Quality During Wildfire Season？

1. Areas and Timing of Wildfire Activity

Fire weather across the U.S. has been quite active in 2024, with the Park Fire currently ranked as the fourth-largest wildfire on record in California. Now is the time to prepare for fire weather. (NOAA, September 6, 2024)

 *NOAA 2024 Wildfire Report

2. Will an Air Purifier Help with Wildfire Smoke?

Wildfires significantly degrade air quality, posing health risks. Air purifiers are useful for safeguarding indoor air during this time.

Key Benefits:

1) Removal of Harmful Smoke and Particles

PM2.5: High concentrations in wildfire smoke can harm respiratory and people's health. Special filters (Smoke Removal Version) in air cleaners effectively capture these particles.

Harmful Smoke: Activated carbon filters remove harmful smoke, like CO and VOCs, for safer indoor air.

2) Improve Room Air Circulation

During wildfire happens, people would choose to keep windows and doors closed to prevent smoke from entering. However, this can result in poor indoor air circulation. Air purifiers enhance airflow and improve air exchange efficiency through filtration systems, helping to reduce the accumulation of indoor pollutants.

3) Health Protection

Air purifiers are especially helpful for vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and people with respiratory conditions. They filter harmful particles, reduce symptoms, and improve comfort. Real-time air quality monitoring also ensures a consistently safe and healthy environment.

4) Enhanced Sleep Quality

Minimize irritation from smoke and harmful particles, creating a cleaner environment conducive to restful sleep.

3. How to Choose an Effective Air Cleaner?

The following key features may be effective to consider when choosing an air cleaner to reduce wildfire smoke and particles:

1) High-Efficiency Particulate Filtration (HEPA filters)

Choose an air cleaner with a true HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of tiny particles (e.g. PM2.5 and PM0.3), including smoke, dust and pollen.

2) Activated Carbon Filter

The activated carbon filter adsorbs volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odours, such as smoke and noxious gases from mountain fires.

3) CADR Value for Room Size

Choose the suitable CADR value according to the room size, especially for homes or offices over 100 square meters, which require a higher performance machine.

4) Intelligent Air Quality Monitor and Automatic Adjustment

Equipped with an air quality sensor and display, it monitors air quality in real time and automatically adjusts the air speed and filtration mode according to the pollution level to improve the usage efficiency.

5) Silent Mode

The air cleaner may need to be used 24 hours a day during the hill fire season. Choose a device with a low noise design or sleep mode, especially suitable for home environments.

6) Long-life Filter and Replacement Reminder

The filter has a long life and is easy to replace. It is best to have a filter replacement reminder function to avoid the purification effect being affected by the expiry of the filter.

7) Portable Design

If you need to use it in multiple rooms or when you go out, a lightweight design with handles or wheels will be more convenient.

8) APP Control or Remote Operation

Intelligent control function is convenient for users to understand and manage the air quality at any time, even if they are not at home, they can still make adjustments.

Nowadays wildfire season's growing severity underscores the importance of air purifiers in maintaining air quality and health. By reducing indoor pollutants, they provide essential protection during these challenging times.