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Wildfires
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Disasters

Wildfires

Wildfires are uncontrolled fires in natural areas that spread rapidly, threatening public safety, homes, and natural resources.

Overview

Wildfires are fires that burn out of control in natural areas, such as forests, grasslands, or prairies. They often begin unnoticed but spread quickly, damaging natural resources, destroying homes, and threatening the safety of the public and firefighters.

Causes and Risk Factors

Most wildfires are caused by humans, either through accidents or intentional acts. Common factors include:

  • Human activity: Improperly managed campfires, burning debris, or careless disposal of cigarettes.
  • Arson: Fires set on purpose.
  • Natural causes: Lightning and lava.
  • Environmental conditions: Wildfires are more common during dry conditions, and high winds can cause them to spread more quickly.

Preparedness and Coping

Although there are no guarantees of safety if you live in an area threatened by a wildfire, you can take actions to protect yourself. You should have a disaster plan, as being prepared can help reduce fear, anxiety, and losses. If you do experience a disaster, it is normal to feel stressed and you may need help in finding ways to cope.

Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

Frequently Asked Questions

While mild eye irritation, scratchy throat, and minor coughing are common during smoke exposure, seek urgent medical care for persistent shortness of breath, continuous chest pain, severe wheezing, coughing up black soot or blood, persistent dizziness, or confusion. These symptoms may signal acute airway compromise, severe asthma exacerbation, or carbon monoxide poisoning.
No, cloth masks, bandanas, and standard surgical masks do not filter out the dangerous fine particulate matter (PM2.5) found in wildfire smoke, which can enter deep into the alveoli and bloodstream. If outdoor exposure is unavoidable, use a tightly sealed, NIOSH-approved N95 or P100 respirator. Note that respirators filter particulates but do not protect against hazardous gases such as carbon monoxide.
Prepare an emergency go-bag containing at least a 7- to 14-day supply of all daily medications, written prescriptions, medical device accessories (such as nebulizer tubing, peak flow meters, or blood glucose test strips), and medical history documentation. Patients who use refrigerated medicines like insulin should pack a small cooler with ice packs, and those using supplemental oxygen or CPAP machines should arrange a portable power source.
Choose an interior room with few windows and doors, keep all exterior openings closed, and run a portable HEPA air purifier sized for the room. Set central HVAC systems to recirculate mode and install high-efficiency MERV 13 or higher filters if the system permits. Avoid activities that create indoor air pollution, such as burning candles, using gas stoves, frying food, or vacuuming without a sealed HEPA vacuum.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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