Sweetwater County Public Health encourages residents to be mindful of the potential health effects caused by wildfire smoke we are currently experiencing.
Wildfire smoke can aggravate your eyes, respiratory problems and worsen the symptoms of heart and lung disease.
Sweetwater County Public Health recommends when air is smoky to avoid heavy outdoor exercise. In addition people with pre-existing heart and respiratory conditions, including allergies, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are especially susceptible to the ill effects from wildfire smoke.
Older adults are more likely to be affected because they are more likely to have heart or lung disease. Children are vulnerable because their airways are still developing and because they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults.
People staying indoors due to the wildfire smoke should keep indoor air as clean as possible. Sweetwater County Public Health offers the following suggestions:
- Try to keep windows and doors closed
- Keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean if you run an air conditioner
- Seek shelter elsewhere if you do not have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed
- When smoke levels are high, do not use anything that burns, such as candles, fireplaces, or gas grills
- Do not smoke, because smoking puts out even more pollution into the air
- If  you experience shortness of breath or symptoms of illness, contact your medical provider as soon as possible
