野火烟雾中的微小颗粒会对人体造成短期和长期的健康风险[1]。专家建议居民采取多项措施，在烟雾季节保护室内空气质量。
威斯康星大学密尔沃基分校环保流行病学家Amy Kalkbrenner表示，"基本的信息是，做点什么总比什么都不做强"[1]。俄勒冈大学野火烟雾研究中心研究员Jess Downey指出，当烟雾与高温同时存在时，对健康的影响比单独存在时更大[1]。
在空调维护方面，若使用中央空调系统，应更换MERV 13或更高级别的滤网，并设置空气循环模式，同时关闭引入室外空气的通风口[1]。对于不具备中央空调的家庭，美国环保署(EPA)证实了一种有效的自制方案：将4个20x20英寸的MERV 13或更高评级的炉用空气滤网用胶带固定在盒式风扇上，可以作为HEPA空气净化器的替代方案[1]。此外，密封门窗以减少外部污染物进入也是重要措施[1]。整体而言，在野火烟雾期间保持室内活动、利用可用资源净化空气，是居民降低烟雾暴露风险的关键策略[1]。
Wildfire smoke poses significant health risks to residents, with tiny particles in the smoke causing both short-term and long-term damage to human health. [1] To protect themselves, people should remain indoors and take steps to purify the air they breathe. [1]
For those using central air conditioning, experts recommend replacing filters with MERV 13 or higher-rated models and setting the system to air circulation mode while closing any vents that draw in outside air. [1] Those without such systems can construct a do-it-yourself air filter by securing four 20-by-20-inch MERV 13 or higher-rated furnace filters to a box fan using duct tape—a method the EPA has confirmed to be effective. [1] Sealing doors and windows to minimize the entry of outdoor pollutants also helps reduce indoor smoke infiltration. [1]
Amy Kalkbrenner, an environmental epidemiologist at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, emphasized that "doing something is always better than doing nothing." [1] Jess Downey, a researcher at the University of Oregon's Center for Wildfire Smoke Research and Practice, noted that health impacts are more severe when smoke occurs simultaneously with high temperatures. [1]