Wildfire smoke with extreme heat
Organization: Health Canada
Year: 2024

Health Canada’s guidance “Wildfire Smoke with Extreme Heat” addresses the dual dangers posed when wildfire smoke coincides with high temperatures. This resource highlights at-risk groups—such as seniors, pregnant individuals, children, people with chronic conditions, outdoor workers, and those without air conditioning—and outlines combined advice to mitigate exposure. Outdoors, it recommends monitoring air quality and heat alerts, limiting strenuous activities during peak conditions, taking breaks in shade, staying hydrated, and wearing NIOSH‑certified respirators when necessary. Indoors, emphasis is placed on prioritizing cooling: closing windows and doors, using air conditioning on recirculation mode with quality filters, blocking sunlight, and minimizing appliance use that generates heat. It also advises exercising caution when deciding to open windows for cooling versus closing them to avoid smoke ingress. The guide empowers readers to protect themselves effectively during overlapping environmental hazards, enhancing preparedness and resilience in the face of compound climate-related stressors.