How wildfire smoke that drifts hundreds of miles can still be dangerous to your health

You may not have family, friends, or property in the Southern California area that’s being ravaged by fast-moving wildfires, so you may think the fires won’t affect you.

Depending on where you live, you could be wrong.

That's because even after wildfires are over, the smoke can linger in the atmosphere for days or weeks. The smoke also can travel hundreds of miles, depending on weather conditions.

Learn more: How to keep wildfire smoke out of your home;

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Wildfire smoke presents dangers to health because it can harbor toxic chemicals and tiny particles. “Once inhaled, these particles can affect the lungs and heart and cause serious health effects,” the Environmental Protection Agency says.

How can wildfire smoke hurt you?

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Depending on what's burning – grasslands, trees, vegetation, buildings – wildfire smoke can contain chemical substances such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, acid gases, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, benzene, toluene, styrene, metals and dioxins, the New York State Department of Health says.

Smoke can become more toxic the longer it lingers in the air.

It can combine with trace radicals, or molecules with unpaired electrons, in a process known as oxidation. That process converts the particles into something known as free radicals, which can damage cells and tissues.

How small are wildfire smoke particles?

Particles from wildfire smoke can be much smaller than the width of a human hair.

They are dangerous because they can be inhaled and travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, the EPA says. They can cause respiratory irritation and shortness of breath, and they can make conditions worse for people with asthma and heart disease.

Who is most likely to be affected by wildfire smoke?

People who are most at risk from wildfire smoke include those with existing lung problems, pregnant women and children under 18 whose lungs are still developing, according to airnow.gov.

How can you protect yourself against wildfire smoke?

Airnow.gov recommends these precautions:

• Checking Air Quality Index reports for quality of air in your area.
• Staying indoors or limiting outdoor time when smoke is present.
• Keep indoor air as clean as possible, using the most efficient filters with home heating and ventilation systems.
• Having a supply of N95 respirators for going outside when air quality is poor.

CONTRIBUTING Janet Loehrke, Karina Zaiets/Paste BN

SOURCE Paste BN Network reporting and research; Reuters; Environmental Protection Agency; airnow.gov; California Air Resources Board