Los Alamos fire department warns residents about wildfire smoke health risks

The Los Alamos Fire Department used a June 25 notice to warn residents that wildfire smoke can become a health problem even when flames are not threatening Los Alamos County. Smoke from the McCauley Springs Fire was pushed into canyons overnight by a temperature inversion, leaving worse conditions in the morning until the inversion lifted and the smoke began to thin out.

County officials said Los Alamos County remained in READY stage and stressed there was no current threat to the county. Even so, the department told residents to take smoke seriously, especially on days when fine particulate matter can build up indoors and make outdoor activity harder on the lungs.

The department’s guidance was direct: stay inside when heavy smoke is present, close windows and doors, and avoid strenuous outdoor exercise that increases how much smoke a person breathes in. Residents were also told to adjust air-conditioning systems so they recirculate indoor air instead of pulling air from outside into the home, a small step that can make a difference during smoky periods.

The notice also flagged everyday habits that can worsen indoor air quality. The department advised against burning candles, spraying aerosols, frying or broiling food, smoking, and vacuuming unless the vacuum has a HEPA filter. If someone absolutely had to go outside, the department said a properly fitted N95 or P100 respirator offered better protection than a cloth face covering, surgical mask, or dust mask.

The county’s warning came with two practical tools for households trying to plan around the smoke: an interactive smoke map and enrollment in county emergency alerts through Everbridge. For schools, outdoor workers, seniors, pet owners, and anyone exercising outside, the message was the same: plan for poorer air quality before it worsens, move activity indoors when possible, and treat smoke as a day-to-day health issue long before fire reaches the doorstep.