Article updated 6/9/2023

West coast wildfires have made the news every year since we originally released this article in 2020. Authorities and residents have continuously seen the devastating impacts of wildfires on the west coast.

In 2023, the California wildfire season saw a total of 985 fires that burned 1,024 acres. The dangerous wildfire smoke air pollution has caused health officials to issue ongoing updates on air quality that includes warnings for at-risk individuals or full-scale recommendations to remain indoors.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that the mix of gasses and fine particles from wildfire smoke can make anyone sick. Immediate and long-term health impacts can be better managed through the use of air purifiers.

To learn more about air purifiers and smoke, click or tap here.

Read on to learn about earlier trends in CA wildfires, and the role air purifier technology plays in keeping people safe.

CA Wildfires and Air Purifiers

For weeks now, the western United States has been battling a record-breaking wildfire season. Uncontained wildfires are wreaking havoc, having already destroyed more than 3,000 homes and killed over a dozen people. In Oregon, the wildfires have driven over half a million people from their homes and are advancing on the densely populated suburbs of Portland and Salem.

In California, August and September wildfires have already shattered annual trends for acres burned. More than 10 states in the west are battling blazes like this. Startling drone footage shows orange, hazy skies and people are going to return to homes covered in fine ash. As evacuated and non-evacuated residents alike consider the outlook, many are deeply concerned about the air quality.

And they are not alone. CNN reports that smoke-filled horizons are making it difficult for people to breathe. Los Angeles is recording the worst air quality and highest ozone pollution in the past 25 years. The LA Times reports that the entire Bay Area is under relentless smog and thick smoke. All of this is impacting the health and well-being of residents. One of the only effective solutions for wildfire air quality is air purifiers.

Air Quality and California Fires

AirNow.gov provides real time fire and smoke maps. To learn how active wildfires are impacting the air quality in your region, you can tap here to access the EPA’s visualized trends and collected air quality data. EPA air quality monitors work every day to track and monitor outdoor air in every region of the country. 

AirNow’s published guide on wildfire smoke and public health is a collaborative work between the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). This guide outlines the specific strategies people should use to reduce their exposure to wildfire smoke:

• Limit exposure by staying indoors
• Limit physical activity
• Reduce indoor air pollution sources
• Use respiratory protection
• Create clean air shelters
• Use air filters and air purifiers

Indoors is a more feasibly controlled environment than outdoors. The most highly-recommended way to improve indoor air quality is with air purifiers.

Air Purifiers Reduce Smoke Exposure

The air purifiers recommended by the California Air Resources Board in the above mentioned document should meet the following specifications:

• Little or no ozone emission
• Appropriately sized for the room
• Individual room or whole house air purifiers

Experts also recommend that air conditioning may need to stay in “recirculate” mode and windows and outdoor vents should remain closed.

Air Oasis has air purifiers that reduce smoke and pollutants in the air. Our units leverage the most sophisticated technology available to improve indoor air quality. If you are shopping online for an air purifier for smoke or to reduce particulates indoors, here are some of the standards you should use.

Buy an Air Purifier for Wildfire Smoke

It’s tempting to look quickly for an air purifier for wildfire smoke and ust grab something off the shelf. This may give you peace of mind but there are a few points of consideration. If you want to truly improve the air in your home and reduce smog, smoke and other irritants, you need a high-quality air purifier. 

You can choose units that work in individual rooms or for your whole home. There are also a variety of technological processes that make an air purifier effective. Here is a brief overview that will empower you to make a choice as you buy an air purifier for fires or air purifiers for smoke.

Air Purifier for Smoke: Technology

Modern air purifiers usually use one or more air purification processes. The best air purification methods should include one or more of the following:

HEPA: HEPA filters capture contaminants down to a very small size. This is a physical process. HEPA filters will trap the small particles of smoke and pollution emitted by wildfires. It’s an important step but probably not sufficient by itself. The best air purifier for smoke will combine HEPA with some other processes.

Ionic air purifiers: ionization gets a bad rap because people associate it with “ozone.” In fact, this cold plasma technology is crucial for the best air purification. Blanketing your room or home in both positive and negative ions, this sophisticated process eliminates volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other particulates from the air. Ionic air purifiers transform indoor air quality and do so very effectively. Tap here to learn more about the technology behind these processes.

UV air purifiers: UV light became a point of discussion during the COVID-19 pandemic. UV air purifiers can deactivate viruses like the coronavirus. When you want a comprehensive approach to improving the air quality in your home, you may want a multi-stage air purifier that uses UV light.

Air Purifier for Smoke: Size and Models

To meet the recommended criteria, you should be sure that an air purifier effectively works and is the correct size to filter the air in a certain space. 

For instance, our iAdaptAirⓇ comes in three models:

• Up to 250 square feet
• Up to 550 square feet
• Up to 850 square feet

Many people will choose to buy air purifiers for each room in their home, or for the rooms where they sleep or spend most of their time. Creating clean air zones is a powerful way to protect your family from the adverse health impact of wildfire smoke.

Best Air Purifier for Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire smoke is showing up in respiratory symptoms and extreme allergic reactions. Your health and the health of your family is at risk. We encourage you to follow all expert recommendations for limiting outdoor time and creating a sheltered space in your home. Air Oasis is committed to helping your family. You can buy an air purifier online from us and know that it will add a layer of protection and improve the air quality in your home.