As more than 30 wildfires, including the massive Durkee fire, continue to burn in Oregon, the American Lung Association has issued a reminder about the dangers of breathing wildfire smoke. The association highlights that such exposure is particularly harmful to children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with existing or undiagnosed lung health issues.
The smoke from these fires can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles, potentially affecting residents not only in Oregon but also in Washington, Idaho, Canada, and states as far away as Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas.
The American Lung Association emphasizes that protecting lung health should be a crucial component of any wildfire emergency plan. They offer several general recommendations for safeguarding lungs from wildfire smoke exposure:
For additional information about wildfires and lung health, visit Lung.org/wildfires.
