By Dr Kelcie Rosendahl

I am lucky to live in the mountain town of Bend, Oregon. We are surrounded by natural beauty here. Summer is an especially lovely time, until the smoke hits. As I write this, several wildfires are burning in central Oregon. Our AQI (air quality index) is sitting at a 173 which is unhealthy for all groups and the early morning light reflects an eerie red haze.

This time of year can be difficult for many. I cannot imagine the horror of losing your home, land or animals to a blaze. The thought of both domestic and wild animals dying while trying to seek shelter weighs heavily on my heart. Helplessness is something I often feel during this time of year and I am sure many others share this emotion.

I want to share some practical tips you can implement to help you and yours through the smoky days and maybe ease the feeling of hopelessness ever so slightly.

How to Choose an Air Purifier for Wildfire Smoke

First things first: get an air purifier for your home. Not all air purifiers are created equal. Tons of options are on the market today and many will work great depending on the size of your space & budget.

When picking out an air purifier that will filter out smoke (wildfire or other) here are some things to look for:

1. Ensure the device has HEPA and activated carbon filters

2. Types of particles filtered: PM 2.5 particles are of particular concern with wildfire smoke. They are the smallest particles and can travel into the lungs and be absorbed by the body. HEPA filters filter these but there are different grades of HEPA filters

3. Room size the device can filter

4. High smoke clean air delivery rate (CADR)

5. Reviews from other customers

My Favorite Air Purifier Brands at Every Budget

I love the Air Doctor Pro filters (and I wish I had one at home!) but understand that the price can be limiting. Here are a list of some of my favorite air filter brands, with a variety of different price points:

1. Air Doctor Pro

2. IQ Air

3. Winix: I’ve had mine for 3 years, got it at Costco, it works great

4. Blueair

Stay Hydrated to Support Your Body Through Smoke Exposure

Next, ensure you are staying hydrated.

Wildfire smoke can irritate the airways and drinking water frequently throughout the day can help. Your body is also working hard to detoxify the low-quality air and water is necessary for this detoxification to occur as one of our main detox pathways is through the kidneys and urination.

To make hydration easy, consider making a hydration station in your home. Keep water and herbal teas handy. Homemade popsicles, watermelon and cucumber can help keep kids hydrated.

Saline Rinses for Airway and Sinus Relief

Saline irrigation can help with airway irritation. Saline drops, a nasal spray or nasal irrigation with a Neil Med or neti pot can be soothing. I recommend saline drops for infants and littles and these are likely the easiest to administer to them :)

Protecting Kids During Poor Air Quality Days

For those with kids, keep in mind that children are some of the most sensitive to poor air quality. It’s recommended to avoid outdoor play with an AQI of 151+ and limit it when the AQI is 101-150, but some kiddos may be more sensitive and need to avoid outdoor time when the AQI is lower.

One of the most difficult things about limiting time outside is likely boredom! Some ideas for indoor fun are:

Play-Doh
Sensory bins
Magna-Tiles
Puzzles
Dance party playlist!
Water painting books
Indoor scavenger hunt

Do Supplements Actually Help With Wildfire Smoke?

There are many supplements out there marketed for smoke support but I am not convinced there’s a magic solution.

Antioxidants like NAC (n-acetyl cysteine) and glutathione can be helpful for lung function and supporting our natural detox pathways, especially liver function. These are typically what I recommend to folks who are interested in bolstering supplementation when there are smoky skies.

Finding Calm Through Wildfire Season

Unfortunately, wildfire season seems like it is here to stay. I hope the ideas I’ve shared here are helpful. Maybe you will feel more confident purchasing an air purifier. Perhaps they give you some peace of mind.

If the smoky season leaves you wanting more personalized support for your family's health, our naturopathic doctors are here to help you feel like yourself again.

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