Skip to main content

KingCounty.gov is an official government website.

Official government websites use .gov
Website addresses ending in .gov belong to official government organizations in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Only share sensitive information on official, secure websites.
King County Logo

Wildfire smoke preparedness during COVID-19 pandemic

  • Wildfire smoke is unhealthy for everyone. Children, pregnant women, people over 65 years of age, or who have a respiratory disease or illness, heart disease, or diabetes are must vulnerable.
  • Wildfire smoke this summer may create additional risk for people with COVID-19 and worsen symptoms.
  • Many people most susceptible to COVID-19 are also those most vulnerable to the impacts of wildfire smoke.
  • Cloth and surgical masks will only provide very little protection against wildfire smoke. N95 respirators can help protect against wildfire smoke when used properly. Due to COVID-19, these types of respirators are in short supply.
  • Be prepared for wildfire smoke this year by taking steps to prepare your home, knowing where you can go, making a personal health plan with your healthcare provider, and learning how to stay informed about air quality conditions and wildfire smoke forecasts.
  • Prepare your home by filtering the air inside your home
    • If you have an HVAC system, upgrade your system's filters with MERV 11, MERV 13, or HEPA filters according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
    • Consider buying an indoor portable air cleaner to filter air in a single room to create a cleaner air room in your home.
  • Creating your own air filter is also a low-cost way to improve air quality of a single room in your home to create a cleaner air room. Information on how to make a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) portable air cleaner and important safety tips to follow can be found on Puget Sound Clean Air website and on the Public Health Insider (includes a 2 minute video instruction).
  • If you have an existing health condition, create a personal health plan to make sure you are prepared for wildfire smoke by talking with a healthcare provider about your health and how wildfire smoke might impact you.
  • Stay informed about air quality conditions and wildfire smoke forecasts this summer going to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency's website.