Fourmile Canyon Fire
Health Recommendations and Information
Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. When smoke levels are high enough, even healthy people may experience some of these symptoms.
Even if you do not suffer from respiratory or heart disease if you see smoke from the wildfire in your area limit physical activity and stay indoors if at all possible.
Smoke may worsen symptoms for people who have pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as respiratory allergies, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in the following ways:
- Inability to breathe normally
- Cough with or without mucus
- Chest discomfort
- Wheezing and shortness of breath
People who have heart disease might experience:
- Chest pain
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
Follow your doctor’s advice about medicines and about your respiratory management plan if you have asthma or another lung disease, Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen. CU students can call the Wardenburg phone nurse at 303-492-3435.
If you are staying indoors keep windows and doors closed unless it is extremely hot outside. Run an air conditioner if you have one, but keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside. If you do not have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed, seek shelter elsewhere.
Do not add to indoor pollution. When smoke levels are high, do not use anything that burns, such as candles, fireplaces, or gas stoves. Do not vacuum, because vacuuming stirs up particles already inside your home. Do not smoke, because smoking puts even more pollution into the air.
Do not rely on dust masks for protection. Paper “comfort” or “dust” masks commonly found at hardware stores are designed to trap large particles, such as sawdust. These masks will not protect your lungs from smoke. An “N95” mask, properly worn, will offer some protection to those with respiratory or heart conditions that may put them at risk.
Limited numbers of N95 masks, and instructions for use, will be available to CU faculty, staff, and students at Wardenburg Health Center and the Department of Public Safety (2nd floor administration); students may also obtain masks and information at the following locations: Kittredge West front desk, Stearns West front desk in Williams Village, Libby front desk, and the Family Housing main office.
Directions for using an N95 mask (pdf)
Other Recommendations:
- Cough drops can help soothe irritated throats.
- Those with asthma: keep your rescue inhaler nearby and make sure it is an up-to-date prescription. People with severe exacerbation may need to use these more often.
- Avoid exercising outdoors.
- Over-the-counter eye drops may help with eye irritation
Students with severe respiratory distress should proceed immediately to the closest emergency department; students with less distress may come to Wardenburg Health Center or call our phone nurse at 303-492-3435.
Faculty and staff should consult their own physicians.
