N95 Masks and Air Purifiers: Wildfire Smoke Protection
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It isn't the first year that Canadian wildfires have impacted areas of the United States, with billowing waves of wildfire smoke causing record high ratings of poor air quality and unhealthy conditions. 2023 was one of the worst wildfire seasons in Canada when over 42 million acres burned, turning the New York skyline orange and worsening air quality in areas like Detroit and Washington DC.
With wildfire smoking spreading as far south as the Gulf Coast states, air quality and visibility will be impacted, especially for those at risk like young children and the elderly.
The wildfire season is occurring earlier and lasting longer due to warmer springs, longer summer dry seasons, drier soil and climate change, according to the EPA. The alarming rise in wildfire activity over the past decade has transformed what was once a regional concern into a nationwide health crisis.
As wildfire events become more frequent and intense, having the right protective equipment is essential. From properly fitted N95 respirators to air purification systems, investing in a few key products can help safeguard your respiratory health during what experts predict could be another challenging wildfire season ahead.
Fire weather relies largely on three main meteorological conditions to spread wildfires: relative humidity, temperature and wind. We've discussed relative humidity (RH) in our Dehumidifier Guide, which is expressed as a percentage and represents the amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature. When relative humidity is low, the air pulls moisture from the land and vegetation.
Hotter temperatures will also fuel fire weather, with warmer nighttime temperatures decreasing overnight relative humidity. As for the wind, how can a fire burn without oxygen? Wind also increases evaporation and land dryness, and may carry embers that can rapidly spread fires.
Over 50 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, including hay fever, food and skin allergies, and allergic asthma, while over 28 million have asthma, a chronic disease that causes inflammation and swelling in the airways, trouble breathing, coughing and pain.
For those with respiratory sensitivities, the fine particulate matter in wildfire smoke presents a serious health threat, and it doesn't only come from fires in your area – wildfire air pollution can extend hundreds of miles beyond the flames themselves.
Wildfire smoke is a mix of gasses and fine particulate matter from burning vegetation and other materials. These microscopic particles, measuring 10 microns or smaller (known as PM10) can be inhaled into the lungs, and fine particulate matter that are 2.5 microns or less (known as PM2.5, smaller than the average human hair), can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, triggering lung inflammation and potentially leading to long-term health complications. When combined with seasonal pollen—which climate change has also intensified through longer growing seasons—these environmental pollutants create a perfect storm for respiratory distress.
Short-term risks to wildfire exposure may cause coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, bronchitis, increased risk of asthma and other respiratory distress. If exposed over days or weeks, you may even see reduced lung function.
According to the CDC, there are a few precautions you can take for proper protection against wildfire smoke.
Monitor air quality in your community, and stay inside as much as possible based on the alerts. You can use The Weather Channel app and Airnow.gov for air quality checks in your area.
Use a portable air cleaner (also known as an air purifier) with a HEPA filter to keep air in specific rooms as clean as possible. Avoid burning anything indoors, such as candles, incense or wood.
If you have to go outside, use a respirator or mask with the words NIOSH, N95 or P100 printed on it.
If you must brave the outdoors during a wildfire event, a proper safety mask should be worn to help prevent lung irritation. Even staying indoors may not be a sure thing, as a certain amount of home 'leakiness' will occur during wildfire and allergy seasons due to opening doors or using portable air conditioners that pull in air from outside. Here's a few products to help protect yourself during wildfire season.
Price: $14.99 at Amazon
Shop It: Amazon
Features:
N95 mask certified for protection against 95% of non-oil based particles 0.3 microns or larger, according to company page
5-layer filtration
Latex-free headband straps
Price: $11.99, was $14.99 at Amazon
Shop It: Amazon
Features:
NIOSH approved N95 mask respirator, certified for at least 95% particulate filtration efficiency according to company page
Four filter layers
3D nose clip design, inner foam nosepiece
Double elastic head straps
Price: $22.98 at The Home Depot
Shop It: The Home Depot
Features:
95% filtration efficiency against certain non-oil based particles, according to company
Three-panel design with low-profile design
Directs exhaled air away from nose panel, helping to reduce eyewear fogging
Soft inner materials, adjustable nose clip and individual packaging
As you shop for mask options, note that KN95 masks are not the same as a N95 mask. N95 masks are generally the most effective protection against airborne particles (and ideal for healthcare and industrial workers), but they are uncomfortable and require a tight fit.
KN95 masks, however, may allow a certain amount of leakage and will have a different kind of certification. Both still require several layers of synthetic material for particulate protection.
Price: $13.99 at Amazon
Shop It: Amazon
Features:
Five layers of filter fabric
Center stitching with folding design, elastic ear loops and adjustable nose clip
Youth size fits most children between the ages of 4-14
Price: $19.99, was $29.99 at Amazon
Shop It: Amazon
Features:
Five layers of filter fabric
Ear loops, adjustable nose clip
Lightweight and foldable
For more information on how air purifiers work, including filtration options (we highly recommend a HEPA filter), room size calculations and more, check out our extensive coverage of air purifier options.
A Beginner's Guide To Air Purifiers: How They Work And Our Top Picks
Best Pollen AIr Purifiers of 2025
Price: $119.99, was $139.99 at Amazon; $237.98, was $279.98 (2-piece bundle) at Blueair.com
Filter Type: Carbon & HEPA | Effective Range: 193 sq. ft. | Smoke CADR: 125 CFM
Shop It: AmazonShop It: Blueair.com
Features:
3-in-1 filtration system: Pre-filter, HEPA filter, activated carbon filter
Auto mode based on air quality, night mode turns of lights
Multiple fan speeds and manual mode connector
Wi-Fi indicator
App scheduling, air quality monitoring, filter tracking
Price: $159, was $199 at Amazon
Filter Type: HEPA & Carbon | Effective Range: 284 sq. ft. | Smoke CADR: 183
Shop It: Amazon
Features:
3-in-1 filtration system: Pre-filter screen, HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter
Timer options (1, 2, 4, and 8 hours)
Targets pollen, dust, pet dander, smoke and odors according to company page
3 fan speeds, sleep mode, auto mode
Air quality indicator light and smart particle sensor
Energy Star Certified
Price: $206.99, was $229.99 at Amazon (white)
Filter Type: HEPA & Carbon | Effective Range: 361 sq. ft. | Smoke CADR: 233
Shop It: Amazon
Features:
Four filtration stages: Pre-filter, deodorization, True HEPA, ionizer
Three fan speeds, auto mode, and eco mode
Timer, filter replacement indicator, and air quality indicator
Energy Star Certified, CARB certified
Price accurate and item in stock at time of publish.
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