Take it from somebody who had multiple "fire seasons" in the past few years here in the Bay Area: get an air purifier for your home, like now.
They might be sold out everywhere because you won't be the first one trying to get one right now but do it as soon as they get in stock.
You don't need a very expensive or a big one, depending on the size of your rooms, a cheaper one does plenty already and it WILL help. The last thing you want is having to sleep with a mask on because the air inside your bedroom is unbreathable.
Even outside of "fire makes air unbreathable" season an air purifier is really good to have in your place. It might run at the lower setting or not at all 90% of the time but you'll be happy to have it filter the air the rest of the time.
EDIT: I have been told to NOT get any "ionizing" filters for airpurifiers, as those produce ozone which, huh, you don't want in your home or anywhere near your lungs
the one i have been using every day since 2018
a budget option that's best in compact spaces
NOTE: If going DIY, either with a HEPA set or a Corsi-Rosenthal box, please consider following the EPA's safety tips:
- If you build a DIY air cleaner, use a newer model box fan (2012 or later). The newer models have added safety features. Fans built prior to 2012 were not tested, and pose known fire risks.
- Use fans that have been verified by an accredited third party to meet the UL 507 safety standard for electric fans or equivalent. To find a verified fan, look for one with a UL or ETL safety marking.
- EPA does not recommend using DIY air cleaners built with older model box fans (before 2012), but if they are used, they should not be used unattended or while sleeping.
- Anyone who uses a DIY air cleaner should follow the box fan manufacturer’s instructions, which can include: Don't leave children unattended when the fan is in use; don't use an extension cord, and don't use a damaged or malfunctioning fan.
- Always ensure that there are working smoke detectors throughout the home.
- During smoke events, filters will need to be replaced more often, as well as at the end of a smoke event. Not changing the filter regularly may reduce how well the filter works and may release smoke particles into the air. Make sure to keep extra filters on hand and change the filter when it starts to look dirty or release smoke odors.
Smoke events include wildfires. If you are in the immediate vicinity of the Montreal wildfire event, including in the northeastern United States, consider getting either one or two 2 packs of HEPA filters and using 2-4 filters over the next 2 weeks, distributing accordingly. Replace those with fresh filters after the duration of this smoke event.
