I’m hiding in a hotel as I write this.

The wildfire smoke outside is off the scale.

I was staying in my son’s apartment, but it doesn’t have air conditioning. The apartment is in a city that never used to get hot or have to deal with smoke. That’s all changed in the past few years because of climate change.

Need-to-Know: We underestimate the health risks of wildfire smoke.

There is no place that hasn’t been affected by climate change. Everyone is being impacted, whether they want to admit it or not.

We’ve all become climate refugees in the sense that we’re forced to cope with the impacts of a hotter climate.

Hundreds of millions of people are being exposed to dangerous levels of wildfire smoke AGAIN this summer.

Need-to-Know: Wildfire smoke is more than a nuisance; it’s a serious health risk.

What the latest health studies show:

Wildfire smoke can be up to 10 times more harmful to people than smog or smokestack emissions.
Wildfire smoke contains enormous amounts of tiny PM2.5 particles, some of which are carcinogenic. [PM2.5 levels outside right now are 22X higher than the World Health Organization safe level.]
PM2.5 particles can get deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and cross the blood-brain barrier.
Wildfire smoke, in addition to exacerbating asthma and COPD, increases rates of stroke, heart and kidney disease, can hasten the onset of dementia, and lead to low-weight births.
At least 52,480 Californians died prematurely as a result of their exposure to wildfire smoke between 2008 and 2018. (The results do not include the worst fire years of 2018, 2020, and 2021.)
Wildfire smoke causes nearly 16,000 deaths annually in the U.S. This could double by mid-century, according to an analysis.
Active US wildfires July 24, 2026. Source: AP

Need-to-Know: Coping with wildfire smoke isn’t easy

How to reduce your health risk:

Keep an eye on your air quality; it can change hour to hour. I use IQAir maps and their app to get readings of the PM2.5 count. Lots of weather sites provide air quality readings and forecasts.
HEPA filters in your home can keep indoor air safer. You can even make your own for $100 or so. Here’s an 8-minute video on how to do it.
Mask up outside. A good N95 mask can be quite comfortable to wear. The best option is a respirator that filters 99.9 percent of particles like this one. If you need to spend lots of time outside in smoke, I’d get one.

You’ll likely be the only person wearing a mask. Not many folks realize the health risks of breathing wildfire smoke for extended periods.

It is depressing to be forced by smoke to hide indoors day after day. Or worse, in a hotel room. But at least I have that option; otherwise, I’d probably end up in a hospital.

By using a good mask and air filtration, I hope all of us in the smoke zone can stay healthy and feel ok.

Until next time, be safe and be well.

Stephen

P.S. If we want reduce wildfires we need to cool the climate. Here’s some things you can do:

Some of the most impactful according to Project Drawdown.

Cut food waste – Buy only the food you know you’ll eat
Eat more veggies – Replace some of your meat with healthy protein-rich plants
Switch to clean energy – Upgrade to renewable energy in your home
Insulate your home – Improve your home’s window and wall insulation
Save with LED lights – Switch to energy-efficient LED light bulbs
Heat & cool smarter – Install heat pumps or smart thermostats
Get solar – Invest in solar panels and solar hot water
Get around greener – Share a ride with others or travel by bike, public transit, or foot
Drive electric or hybrid – Make your next car an electric or hybrid vehicle
Fly less – Stay local, make a video call, or find another way to travel
Reduce & recycle – Avoid single-use plastic and recycle right

Don’t discount the ripple effect of your actions. Engaging in any of these can impact the behavior of others. For example, reducing your meat consumption signals to your grocery store and food producers that people want less high-emitting meat and dairy production, and more healthy plant-based options.

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We’re All Climate Refugees