How To Minimize Wildfire Smoke Exposure While Driving

Table of Contents

    In the year 2024 alone, 61,685 wildfires were recorded by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). These fires collectively burned around 8,851,142 acres of American land. As reported by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), there were 8,024 wildfires in the state that consumed 1,050,012 acres of land in 2024, which accounts for almost 12% of the national total.

    Every year, hundreds of thousands of acres in California are engulfed in flames as a result of the state’s increasingly catastrophic wildfire seasons. However, wildfires can cause more than just burnt landscapes and property damage. Lesser-known victims of these disasters are those who suffer from the invisible yet dangerous effects of wildfire smoke.

    This toxic mixture of harmful air pollutants can travel hundreds of miles, affecting people far from the active fire zones. The fine particles in wildfire smoke can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, but more alarmingly, they can worsen or trigger serious respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Even individuals without pre-existing health issues may experience breathing difficulties and other health complications after exposure.

    While staying indoors is generally recommended, many people still need to travel for essential reasons. Unfortunately, wildfire smoke can easily seep into vehicles, exposing drivers and passengers to harmful particles. Understanding how to minimize this risk is crucial for protecting your health on the road. Providing helpful knowledge about this danger, Arash Law compiled effective strategies to shield yourself from wildfire smoke while driving, ensuring you and your loved ones stay safe during the wildfire season.

    How To Protect Yourself From Wildfire Smoke While In Your Car

    While the open road may appear as an escape for those seeking to protect their families from wildfires, drivers and their passengers face a significant risk of inhaling harmful pollutants without them realizing it. Wildfire smoke doesn’t just choke the skies. It can seep into your car, turning your vehicle into a trap for toxic air.

    Smoke can easily infiltrate vehicles through ventilation systems, windows, and even small air leaks, exposing drivers and passengers to harmful pollutants. Long drives or sitting in traffic during wildfire conditions can turn your car into a slow-moving cloud of toxic air, silently filling your lungs with harmful pollutants. Every mile driven through smoky skies increases the risk of breathing problems, pounding headaches, and overwhelming fatigue, making each moment on the road more dangerous than it seems.

    Here are some ways you can reduce exposure to wildfire smoke if you need to leave your home:

    Minimize Going Out Of Your Vehicle

    During a wildfire, the air becomes thick with invisible threats, including toxic gases and harmful particles, that can invade your lungs with every breath. Stepping out of your car during wildfire smoke is like walking straight into a cloud of poison. When you need to go somewhere important or evacuate your home when there’s an active wildfire alert nearby, make it a goal not to exit your vehicle until you reach your destination. In order to minimize your exposure, make sure you bring everything you might need for your trip.

    What To Pack In Your Wildfire Go Bag

    What To Pack In Your Wildfire Go Bag

    Wildfire attorneys at Arash Law recommend keeping emergency supplies in your vehicle at all times, especially if you live near or in the fire zones. Here are some basic items that you should have with you:

    • Drinkable water
    • First-aid kit
    • Face masks (like N95s, KN95s)
    • Medication
    • Original and copies of important documents, IDs, and insurance policies
    • Extra cash
    • Non-perishable food
    • A map marked evacuation routes
    • Flashlight
    • Sanitation supplies
    • Extra set of clothes, shoes, and socks
    • Extra battery packs, chargers, or a small portable power generator
    • Battery-powered radio
    • Swiss-army knife
    • An extra phone
    • Blankets or sleeping bags
    • A whistle

    Identify Alternative Routes

    If you receive evacuation alerts on your phone, plot the route on a map. If you’re familiar with the area, plan out alternative routes in case the original path is unpassable. These detours might come in handy in cases of poor visibility due to thick smoke or if the roads are blocked by burning debris.

    Make sure you also monitor the air quality in your location as well as the area leading to your planned destination. Phone applications and websites like AirNow.gov provide real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) updates in the country. These resources help you determine whether the air is safe to breathe or not. The higher the AQI, the greater the pollution and the greater the health risks.

    You can also stay informed about air quality by signing up for free alerts through EnviroFlash. It’s important to note that while these new sensor technologies deliver real-time readings, their accuracy can vary. If air quality reports conflict during a wildfire, check with your local air agency for reliable guidance.

    Keep The Air Out

    Inhaling hazardous wildfire smoke, even just for a few seconds, can be detrimental to your health. When you’re driving out in smoky conditions, you want to make sure that all of your car windows are rolled up and doors are shut tight. Here’s how you can keep toxic wildfire smoke from sneaking in through tiny cracks and harming you or your passengers:

    Identify And Seal Air Leaks

    Get inside your car and close all doors and windows. Manually check for any leak points in the windows and doors of your vehicle by feeling for air drafts. Once you’ve identified any air leaks, repair them with caulk and weather-stripping sealant bought at a local auto supply store. For bigger leaks or issues with the rubber gaskets in your car doors or windows, you might need to replace these parts. For a temporary fix, you can use foam sealants on these larger gaps.

    Replace Cabin Air Filter

    If you haven’t done vehicle maintenance for a while, you might need to check your cabin air filter. Air filters for your car’s air conditioning need to be replaced after 12,000–15,000 miles or more often during wildfire season for optimal air quality. Consider installing high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in vehicles, as these can effectively remove harmful pollutants and make the air inside your vehicle cleaner.

    Steps to replace the cabin air filter in your vehicle:

    1. Check your car’s owner’s manual to find the filter’s location. It’s usually located behind the glove box, under the dashboard, or under the hood.
    2. Open the access panel, unclip or unscrew any covers, and carefully slide out the old filter.
    3. Wipe out any dust or debris inside the filter compartment with a clean cloth for a fresh start.
    4. Install the new filter in the correct direction, matching the airflow arrow.
    5. Reattach any covers or panels, turn on your car’s air system, and set it to recirculate for clean, filtered air.
    Bring A Portable Air Filter

    If you’re living in or near a fire zone, it might be worth investing in a high-quality portable air filter or air purifier. These devices are lightweight and easy to carry around. They are intended to reduce indoor pollution by removing harmful particles from the surrounding air.

    Use Recirculation Mode

    One of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself is by using your vehicle’s recirculation mode. Here’s how and why it works:

    • Recirculation mode prevents smoke-filled air from entering your car by continuously circulating the air already inside.
    • When paired with a clean cabin air filter (preferably a HEPA filter), recirculation mode helps trap smoke particles and other pollutants.
    • By not pulling in outside air, your car maintains better air quality, keeping you safer during wildfire conditions.

    It’s encouraged to use recirculation mode even if the smoke doesn’t seem to be thick. To turn on this mode, find the recirculation button on your dashboard. It’s usually marked with a car icon and a circular or U-shaped arrow. Press the button to switch it on and set your fan to medium or high.

    Wear A NIOSH-Approved Respirator Mask

    Smoke from wildfires can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues, and even premature death. When wildfire conditions are present, wearing a high-quality mask designed to filter out these particles is essential to protecting your health. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approves respirator masks designed to mitigate exposure risk to airborne pollutants, such as those found in wildfire smoke.

    The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends selecting masks that have been tested by NIOSH and have a minimum filtration efficiency of 95% for better protection. N95 and P100 masks offer the highest level of protection against fine particles when properly fitted. N95 masks are recommended for filtering out at least 95% of airborne particles. On the other hand, the P100 or N100 filters around 99.97%.

    When choosing a mask, make sure that you select the correct size. Using a mask that is too big or too small can affect how it filters harmful particles. Test the mask by performing a seal check.

    Additionally, it’s worth noting that standard respirators are not designed for children, but smaller sizes are available for some brands. If you have asthma or other conditions affecting your breathing, consult with your doctor about wearing a mask.

    Drive Slowly and Safely

    Wildfire smoke can make it difficult to see the road, hazards, and other drivers. Turn on your headlights, slow down, and stay focused to prevent accidents. Prioritizing safe driving during a wildfire keeps you protected while also reducing the chance of emergencies that could force you out of your car and into hazardous air.

    Health Effects Of Wildfire Smoke

    Health Effects Of Wildfire Smoke

    According to the California State Firefighters’ Association, smoke with 0% oxygen can lead to permanent brain damage within 5 to 10 minutes of exposure. An additional 5 minutes in the smoke can kill you.

    Burning trees and plants, buildings, and other materials produce wildfire smoke, a mixture of gases and fine particles. It contains hazardous pollutants that can cause eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation. Each cloud of smoke from wildfires includes:

    • Particulate Matter (PM) — Wildfire smoke is heavily concentrated with PMs as small as 2.5 micrometers that can penetrate deep into the lungs.
    • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) — Wildfires release harmful VOCs like benzene, formaldehyde, and acrolein.
    • Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) — Produced during combustion, NOx gases contribute to smog and worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.
    • Carbon Monoxide (CO) — This invisible, odorless gas is most concentrated near smoldering fires.
    • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) — Wildfires produce PAHs, which are toxic and cancer-causing chemicals formed when organic material burns.
    • Heavy Metals And Other Toxic Gases — Wildfires can also release dangerous heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury, as well as toxic gases such as hydrogen chloride, benzene, and toluene.

    Toxic air pollutants that pose health risks, including:

    Immediate Health Impact

    • Skin irritation
    • Wheezing
    • Shortness of breath
    • Coughing
    • Eye irritation
    • Scratchy throat
    • Irritated sinuses
    • Tiredness
    • Chest pain
    • Palpitations

    Long-Term Health Impact

    • Cancer, including lung, kidney, bone, and stomach.
    • Nervous system and brain damage.
    • Chronic coughing and impaired lung function.
    • Heart conditions.
    • Reduced fertility and congenital disorders.

    Children, older adults, and individuals who have chronic health conditions, like respiratory and heart diseases, are more at risk of getting sick when exposed to wildfire smoke. Pregnant people and their unborn babies may also face consequences due to prolonged exposure.

    Statistics On Smoke Inhalation Fatalities

    Thousands of wildfires erupt and ignite millions of acres in the United States annually.

    Based on a 2024 report by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 61,685 fires scorched 8,851,142 acres of American land in 2024.

    These devastating events leave more than just scorched land. The smoke emitted by these monstrous flames has resulted in injuries and deaths. Smoke exposure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems, kidney disease, and mental health problems.

    Wildfire smoke currently contributes to nearly 16,000 deaths each year in the U.S., according to the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). A separate Yale University study suggests the death toll may already be as high as 30,000 deaths per year.

    Legal Avenues For Compensation

    Victims of wildfires have multiple legal options to seek compensation for their losses, including:

    Personal Injury Claims

    Individuals injured by wildfires can file personal injury claims to recover damages for:

    • Medical expenses due to injuries sustained, including past, current, and future treatment, rehabilitation, and medications.
    • Lost wages due to missed work or opportunities for earning.
    • Pain and suffering resulting from physical and emotional trauma. The psychological impact of escaping a wildfire or losing property can result in anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
    Insurance Claims

    Property owners, renters, and business owners can file insurance claims for wildfire-related losses, which may cover:

    • Property Damage — Compensation for damage to homes, structures, vehicles, and personal belongings.
    • Evacuation Expenses — Costs for temporary housing, relocation, and travel.
    • Business Losses — Income lost due to business interruption and operational downtime.
    • Agricultural And Economic Losses — Damage to crops, livestock, or property features like pools and landscaping.

    Where To Get Legal Assistance In Case Of Harm From Wildfire Smoke

    Navigating the legal process after a wildfire can be complex. An experienced wildfire injury attorney can help you with the following:

    • Investigate the cause of the fire and identify liable parties, including:
      • Utility Companies — Companies like PG&E have been held accountable for wildfires caused by faulty equipment, downed power lines, and inadequate maintenance.
      • Government Entities — Some government agencies may have contributed to the damages resulting from a wildfire.
      • Product Manufacturers — Defective products or machinery that ignite fires may lead to product liability claims.
    • File timely insurance claims and negotiate fair settlements.
    • Pursue personal injury or property damage lawsuits when necessary.

    Wildfires cause devastating damage, leaving victims to face physical injuries, emotional trauma, and significant financial losses. Reach out to a qualified wildfire attorney today.

    Frequently Asked Questions
    How Does Driving Speed Affect Wildfire Smoke Exposure Inside The Car?

    How Does Driving Speed Affect Wildfire Smoke Exposure Inside The Car?

    While there is minimal research specifically relating to speed and wildfire smoke exposure inside the car, other relevant and applicable studies exist. A study conducted in Birmingham, UK, provided an in-depth assessment of in-vehicle exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM2.5). Results show that frequent stops at traffic lights and roundabouts increased in-vehicle pollution.

    Another study in Thailand shows that at higher speeds, air pressure differences force more outside air (and pollutants like wildfire smoke or secondhand smoke) into the vehicle cabin, even when windows are closed. Meanwhile, slower driving speeds can reduce the inflow of outside pollutants, but without proper ventilation settings, pollutants already inside the vehicle may become trapped and concentrated.

    What Should I Do If I Start Feeling Sick From Smoke While Driving?

    Driving through wildfire smoke or heavy air pollution can be extremely dangerous, not just because of reduced visibility but also due to the health risks of inhaling toxic air. Smoke inhalation can cause asphyxiation, which occurs when your body is deprived of oxygen. In a confined space like a vehicle, this risk increases significantly. Oxygen deprivation can impair your cognitive abilities, slow your reaction time, and compromise your ability to drive safely.

    If you begin to feel lightheaded, nauseous, short of breath, or experience headaches while driving, it’s critical to act immediately to protect yourself and others on the road.

    • Focus on staying alert and controlling your breathing.
    • Turn recirculation mode on to prevent more smoke from entering your car.
    • Pull over to a safe location and turn on the hazard lights.
    • Drive away from the smoke zone.
    • Wear an N95 or KN95 mask, if available.
    • Drink water to ease throat irritation.
    • Contact 911 if symptoms worsen or an accident occurs.

    If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the following symptoms, get emergency medical attention as soon as possible:

    • Severe difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
    • Chest pain or tightness.
    • Dizziness, confusion, or fainting.
    • Persistent coughing or wheezing.
    • Blue lips or fingernails (a sign of oxygen deprivation).

    Sustained Injuries Due To Wildfires? Call Arash Law For Legal Help

    If you’re affected by the 2025 California wildfires, let Arash Law advocate for you. For many decades, we’ve helped countless clients win compensation for their injuries and damaged properties. Having recovered more than 500 million dollars in settlements and court awards, we have a proven track record that demonstrates our legal capabilities.

    You can trust our wildfire lawyers to secure damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term health complications from smoke inhalation or burn injuries. We’ve worked on thousands of cases and are knowledgeable of local laws and regulations related to insurance. As a result, our personal injury attorneys are able to work quickly and submit claims before deadlines.

    Just as a car accident lawyer is essential after a collision, a skilled wildfire attorney is crucial if a wildfire has impacted you or a loved one. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 or complete our contact form.

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Arash Khorsandi, ESQ
    Founder, Arash Law

    Arash Khorsandi, Esq. is the owner and founder of Arash Law, a large injuries and accidents law firm with offices throughout California. Over the years, Arash has built an all-star team of record-breaking lawyers, former insurance company adjusters, and the best paralegal staff in the country in order to ensure that his client’s cases result in the best possible outcome. In fact, our California personal injury law firm has won countless awards and distinctions in the field of plaintiffs Personal Injury law.

    Recover Lost Wages, Property Damages, and Medical Fees.
    Arash Law Practice Area Border/Divider

    We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.

    DISCLAIMER: Information provided on this blog is not formal legal advice. It is generic legal information. Under no circumstances should the information on this page be relied upon when deciding the proper course of a legal action. Always obtain a free and confidential case evaluation from a reputable attorney near you if you think you might have a personal injury lawsuit.

    Check More From Our Award-Winning Law Firm
    Neck pain is a common problem for many people after a car accident, but why does it happen? During a crash, the seatbelt holds your body in place, but your head is not strapped in. This can cause your head...
    Parents strive to provide their children with a safe and secure environment. Sadly, no matter how vigilant they are, kids will eventually have to venture out of their homes and deal with the harsh realities of the outside world—including the...
    Driving during wildfires can be extremely dangerous. Thick smoke can drastically reduce visibility, rendering even the most familiar routes treacherous. Fallen branches, downed power lines, and other debris can block your path while encroaching flames can sever escape routes. In...

    Thank You, We’ll contact you shortly.