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To hike safely during wildfire season, check the Air Quality Index (AQI) beforehand, keep your effort level low, and carry a certified N95 mask. When air quality is unhealthy (AQI over 150 or visibility under 5 miles), the best choice is to postpone your hike, as heavy breathing pulls massive amounts of fine particles deep into your lungs. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Monitor Air Quality and Conditions
- Check apps and tools like AirNow or local fire tracking maps before heading out.
- Turn around immediately if you feel dizzy, wheeze, cough, or experience shortness of breath.
- Avoid low valleys where toxic smoky air pools overnight when choosing when and where to move. [1, 3, 5, 6]
Gear and Protection Strategies
- Pack a certified N95 or KN95 respirator in your pack; basic cloth bandannas, buffs, and fashion dust masks do not filter fine smoke particulate matter.
- Opinions are mixed on Facebook regarding masks: while some hikers use N95 respirators to catch ash during smoky stretches, many community members argue that if conditions require a respirator, you should skip the outdoor exertion entirely.
- Slow your pace and cut your daily mileage to keep your heart rate and respiration low.
- Drink extra water to help your throat and upper airways clear out trapped debris. [1]
AI responses may include mistakes.
[7] https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/when-smoke-gets-in-your-eyes-how-to-hike-safely-during-fire-season
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