Texas wildfires: how to help and how to stay safe

Smoke from wildfires alone can pose a serious health threat, especially for kids, older adults and those with chronic heart or lung disease and asthma.

Exposure to wildfire smoke can trigger asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes. It can cause eye and respiratory irritation, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing.

Wildfires can also create a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Inhaling carbon monoxide can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness and, in high concentrations, premature death.

Texans can find information about local wildfires through their local fire departments or online using the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Incident Viewer.

What to do during a wildfire:

• Close all windows, vents, doors, and 
fireplace screens.
• Disconnect automatic garage door openers so doors can be opened by hand if you lose power
• Close and protect all of your home’s openings to prevent embers from penetrating your home
• Place valuable documents and family mementos inside the car for quick departure if necessary
• Connect garden hoses and fill any pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water. Firefighters have been known to use the hoses to put out fires on rooftops.
• Evacuate immediately if authorities tell you to do so and leave the lights on in your home so that firefighters can see it through dense smoke

What to do after a wildfire

• Wait for officials to say it’s safe before returning home or using water
• Avoid ash, charred trees, smoldering debris, and live embers
• Avoid damaged or fallen power lines,
 poles, and downed wires
• Follow public health rules and wear
 safety equipment
• Protect your skin with long-sleeved clothing 
and wear goggles to protect your eyes
• Wear an N95 respirator and don’t breathe in ash
• Wash off ash that gets on your skin or in your eyes or mouth as soon as you can
• Document property damage with photographs and contact your insurance company

SOURCES: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Environmental Protection Agency, Ready.gov (U.S. Department of Homeland Security), American Red Cross, National Weather Service, Coronado National Forest, USDA Forest Service, Texas General Land Office