How to Stay Safe and Smoke-Smart
As wildfire seasons grow longer and more intense across Canada, New Brunswick is not immune to the growing threat. Beyond the immediate dangers of fire, smoke from wildfires poses serious risks to our lungs and overall health—even miles from the flames. Whether you live in a rural area or an urban centre, it’s important to be prepared.
Here are three critical ways you can protect yourself and your family this wildfire season:
1. Protect Your Home with FireSmart Tips
Your home is your sanctuary, but wildfire embers can travel up to 2 kilometres, igniting flammable material around homes and structures. That’s why being FireSmart is more important than ever.
Simple steps can make a big difference:
- Keep grass short and watered.
- Clear leaves and debris from gutters and roofs.
- Use fire-resistant landscaping near your home.
The Government of New Brunswick has put together excellent, detailed resources to help you assess your home’s risk and take preventative action.👉 Visit the FireSmart NB website
2. Protect Your Lungs from Smoke Exposure
Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can deeply penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing a range of health issues—especially for children, older adults, and people with pre-existing respiratory or heart conditions.
At NB Lung, we’re working hard to ensure New Brunswickers have access to the tools and knowledge they need to breathe easier:
🛠️ DIY Air Purifiers – Learn how to make your own effective purifier using a box fan and furnace filter.👉 Indoor Air Quality & DIY Solutions
🔥 Health Effects of Wildfire and Wood Smoke – Know what symptoms to look out for and when to seek help.👉 Fire & Smoke Health Info
😷 Free KN95 Masks – Available through our online shop, KN95 masks help filter out harmful wildfire smoke particles.👉 Get Your Free Masks
3. Stay Aware of Outdoor Air Quality in Real Time
Knowing what you’re breathing is the first step in protecting your health. Our province-wide network of air quality sensors provides live data on outdoor air pollution—especially useful during wildfire season when smoke can travel quickly and unpredictably.
📍 Check the current air quality near you: 👉 Live Air Quality Map – NB Lung
Plus, learn more about how outdoor air quality affects your health year-round:
👉 NB Lung’s Outdoor Air Quality Info
Wildfire season brings challenges—but with preparation, awareness, and the right resources, you can protect your home and your health. At NB Lung, we’re here to help every step of the way.
Please consider donating to NB Lung to support our air quality monitoring and environmental programs.
Thank you for your support!