Even after a wildfire has been contained or extinguished, the effects can linger—especially in your home’s air. Smoke particles, ash, and soot often settle indoors, creating an environment that’s uncomfortable and potentially harmful to your health.

Restoring indoor air quality isn’t just about removing odors; it’s about clearing out harmful pollutants that may still be present even after the outdoor skies have cleared.

By following these essential steps, you can remove lingering contaminants, create a healthier indoor environment, and ensure your home is a safe, clean space for you, your family, and even your pets.

Step 1: Monitor your air quality

Before you can restore clean air, you need to understand your current air quality situation. Monitoring your indoor and outdoor air quality will guide your next steps.

• Set up an indoor air quality monitor : An indoor air quality monitor helps you understand the types and levels of pollutants inside your home, such as PM2.5. By comparing it with outdoor data, you’ll know whether to ventilate or seal your home.
• Compare indoor and outdoor air quality: Download a free air quality app to track outdoor air pollution near your home. Compare these readings with your indoor air monitor to decide whether to ventilate or seal your space.
• Use an outdoor monitor for real-time data : Outdoor air quality monitors can provide hyper-local insights for your neighborhood and contribute to your understanding of the air quality outdoors after a wildfire event.

By monitoring your air, you’ll gain the insights you need to make informed decisions for your family’s health. Here are some actions to take based on air quality:

• If outdoor air quality is good, open windows and doors to ventilate your space and remove stale air and help clear out odors.
• If outdoor air quality is poor, stay indoors and seal your home by keeping windows and doors shut.
• If you need to go outside when air quality is poor, wear a pollution mask.

Step 2: Restore good indoor air quality

Once you’ve taken immediate steps to guard against poor outdoor air quality, it’s time to enact a strategy to restore your indoor air quality.

• Use non-toxic cleaners to safely remove any dust, soot, and ash from surfaces. This prevents introducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your air.
• Use a good quality face mask to while cleaning surfaces. Fire-related soot, just like household dust, becomes airborne during the cleaning process. Protect yourself and others in the household by masking up during the cleaning process.
• Run a high-performance air purifier equipped with HyperHEPA filtration, which captures the tiniest pollutants—including PM2.5 and ultrafine particles—and helps remove the dust launched through cleaning and smoke odors, restoring freshness to your space.
• Even if you stayed inside during a wildfire, you may have had to let your dogs outside. Although it’s not fun when pets are cooped up indoors, it's healthier for them. Please keep your pets indoors as much as possible; when they do go outdoors, limit their time outdoors. Wash them when they return indoors to remove any ash (1). Birds are particularly sensitive to wildfire smoke, so they should not be permitted outdoors (2). Think of creative ways to engage them indoors.

Step 3: Maintain good indoor air quality

Once your air has been cleaned, here are some steps to prevent further pollution and maintain a healthy indoor environment.

Avoid adding new pollutants:

• Don’t light fireplaces or candles, as they can release harmful particles into the air.
• Avoid using strong fragrances or aerosol sprays, which can add VOCs to your indoor air.
• Use sustainable cooking and heating practices: When heating your home or cooking, use sustainable fuel sources and avoid using gas stoves.
• Regularly clean air filters: Check and replace filters in your air purifier and HVAC system to ensure peak performance.

The takeaway

Recovering from a wildfire takes time, but restoring your home’s indoor air quality is one of the most impactful steps you can take. By monitoring your air, using the right tools, and adopting healthy indoor practices, you can create a space where you and your family can breathe easy again—even after the smoke clears.