Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality

Wildfire smoke and poor air quality pose serious health risks to everyone, especially those with respiratory conditions like asthma. Unlike most occupations, workers in farming, forestry, and fishing have limited abilities to change their work hours or move indoors to prevent exposure to smoke. Use the resources below to create a plan to protect you, your employees, and your family from smoke.

Remember: 80% of wildfires are human caused. Always observe local fire bans, including any bans when you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I need to take action?

Air quality is reported to the public using the Air Quality Index (AQI). Take action when the air is considered unhealthy: when the AQI reaches 151. People with conditions like asthma or diabetes should take action sooner, when the AQI is between 101-150. There may not be an AQI monitor near you. If this is the case, take action when visibility is reduced to 5 miles. Additionally, a state health or regulatory agency may provide public alerts during days with expected wildfire smoke or poor air quality.

In Colorado, agricultural employers must take action by providing additional work breaks when the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has issued an Air Quality Advisory or Action Day for a location including the worksite AND the temperature is at least 80°F.

What if I can’t go inside?

Limit outdoor activity as much as possible. Wear an N95 respirator to filter the air and reduce the number of smoke particles you breathe in. Surgical masks, bandanas, and other cloth face coverings do not provide sufficient protection as they do not filter the air you breathe in.

While working, take more frequent breaks. Whenever possible, take breaks in enclosed buildings or structures (including vehicles) where the air is filtered and windows, doors, and all other openings are closed.

What should I do for my employees?

**Note that your state may have workplace safety standards that apply to wildfire smoke or poor air quality days. See section below.

1. Increase the frequency of breaks, with rest periods ideally held in enclosed buildings.
2. Make N95s available for your employees to wear voluntarily. (Information on legal compliance below.)
3. For those who are especially high risk (older, pregnant, have heart/lung conditions or diabetes), consider ways to alter their tasks so they can be indoors.
4. Train your employees on how to monitor air quality and how to wear an N95. Use this training video. (Also available in Spanish here)

Is a wildfire smoke or air quality protection plan legally required?

In Colorado, if the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has issued an Air Quality Advisory or Action Day for a location including the worksite AND the temperature is at least 80°F, employers must provide rest periods of 10 minutes every 2 hours and provide a notice of rights to breaks.

The states of California, Oregon, and Washington  have more robust rules requiring employers to protect their employees from wildfire smoke. Review your state’s rule to determine how to comply.

If you provide voluntary-use N95s: All operations subject to OSHA regulations need to comply with voluntary respirator use provisions in the Respiratory Protection Standard when providing respirators for voluntary use. That includes providing each employee a copy of Appendix D. See pages 14-15 of this compliance guide for more information.

What if there’s a shortage of N95s?

Contact your county emergency manager and/or your local agricultural commissioners to see if they have personal protective equipment (PPE) stockpiled. You can utilize a full-facepiece or half-facepiece respirator with a particulate cartridge or pre-filter. If you do, you will need to update your respiratory protection program documents. See this video from OSHA about the voluntary use of respirators.

Where can I get information on current fire activity and evacuation information?

Find the most up-to-date information on fire activity, evacuations, and community resources from local emergency management and InciWeb.