American Lung Association Offers Health Tips for Residents as Nebraska Fires Continue

Several Nebraska communities are facing evacuations and heavy smoke from multiple wildfires. Smoke from these fires has created unhealthy air quality conditions in Nebraska and the surrounding region. Wildfire smoke is already impacting residents in Colorado and may reach more communities over the weekend.   

The American Lung Association encourages residents to follow all emergency communications and evacuation procedures issued by local authorities.  

Wildfire smoke places even healthy individuals at risk, especially if you work outdoors, are pregnant, are under age 18 or over age 65, or have asthma, COPD or a lung disease, chronic heart disease or diabetes. 

To help residents protect their health, the Lung Association has released the following health tips:  

• Prepare to evacuate if directed. When driving your car in smoky areas, keep your windows and vents closed. Air conditioning should only be operated in the "recirculate" setting.  

• Create a travel pack. Those with chronic lung disease are encouraged to gather all of their medications, delivery devices, prescriptions and insurance cards in one spot so they can quickly be transported in the event of an evacuation. 

• Stay indoors. If you aren’t under a current evacuation order, and are living close to the fire-stricken areas or in areas impacted by wildfire smoke, you should remain indoors when possible and avoid breathing smoke, ashes and other pollution in the area. 

• Protect the air in your home. Keep doors, windows and fireplace dampers shut, preferably with clean indoor air circulating through air conditioners on the recirculation setting.  

• Keep an eye on symptoms. Higher levels of smoke in some areas can make breathing more difficult. If you are experiencing wheezing, shortness of breath, difficulty taking a full breath, chest heaviness, lightheadedness, dizziness, or a persistent cough or experience difficult or painful breathing, contact your healthcare provider. The first symptoms can appear as late as 24 to 48 hours after initial exposure. 

• Take precautions for kids. Extra precaution should be taken for children, who are more susceptible to smoke. Their lungs are still developing and they breathe in more air (and consequently more pollution) for their size than adults. Keep children inside as much as possible, and think about evacuating if they have trouble breathing or symptoms that do not get better. 

• Don’t count on a dust mask. Ordinary dust masks, designed to filter out large particles, and cloth facial coverings will still allow the more dangerous smaller particles to pass through. Masks with an N-95 or N-100 filter will filter out the damaging fine particles more effectively, although they do not fully protect anyone from harm. It is important to note that masks may not fit properly or work for everyone—they are not made for children, or for adults with facial hair, and are difficult for people with lung disease to use. 

• Ask for help. The American Lung Association’s Lung Helpline at 1-800-LUNGUSA is staffed by nurses and respiratory therapists, and is a free resource to answer any questions about the lungs, lung disease and lung health, including how to protect yourself during wildfires and wildfire smoke events. 

More information about wildfires and lung health can be found at Lung.org/wildfires.

Public can learn more about appropriate masks to protect themselves from wildfire smoke at Lung.org/masks.