UCCE North Bay

WILDFIRE SMOKE AND YOUR HEALTH: COMMUNITY HEALTH INFORMATION AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Posted by: July 30, 2026

Wildfire smoke can affect communities many miles from an active fire. Even if you are not near the fire itself, smoke can travel long distances and reduce air quality, potentially affecting your health.

We are sharing this educational resource during the Woodside Fire in Sonoma County because smoke associated with the fire may affect air quality across parts of Sonoma County and neighboring communities, depending on weather conditions and wind patterns. While the current fire provides the immediate context, the practical health information, recommendations, and resources presented here are broadly applicable to wildfire smoke events and can help individuals, families, and communities prepare for future smoke episodes.

Wildfire smoke contains fine particles (PM₂.₅) that can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, worsen asthma and other lung diseases, and increase the risk of heart and respiratory problems. Older adults, children, pregnant people, outdoor workers, and individuals with heart or lung conditions may be especially vulnerable.

Here are a few ways to protect yourself:
(1) Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) before spending extended time outdoors.
(2) Reduce outdoor activities when air quality reaches unhealthy levels.
(3) Keep indoor air as clean as possible by closing windows and doors when appropriate and using a HEPA air cleaner or your home's air filtration system, if available.
(4) If you must be outdoors in heavy smoke, wear a properly fitted NIOSH-approved N95 or P100 respirator.
(5) Monitor your health and seek medical care if you experience worsening breathing problems, chest pain, or other concerning symptoms.
(6) If you live in an evacuation area, follow instructions issued by local emergency officials.

This educational resource includes-
• Current Air Quality Index (AQI) guidance
• Woodside Fire maps and current conditions
• Practical strategies to reduce wildfire smoke exposure
• Guidance on respirator use
• Tips for protecting children, older adults, and other higher-risk populations
• Symptoms to watch for and when to seek medical care

This educational resource was prepared by Dr. Zaw Wai Htoo, Advisor, Community Nutrition and Health Program, University of California Cooperative Extension, San Francisco North Bay to support community health, preparedness, and informed decision-making during wildfire smoke events.
Information is current at the time of publication. Wildfire conditions and air quality can change rapidly. Please refer to official agencies for the latest incident-specific updates.
https://ucanr.edu/county/marin-county/article/wildfire-smoke-and-your-health-health-and-safety-information-education

https://www.facebook.com/reel/27388041490891599

https://ucanr.edu/county/ucce-sonoma-county/community-nutrition-and-health (Tap the link and scroll to "Education, Trainings, and Events" to read the full article on UCCE Sonoma County Page.)

We’re thrilled to be participating at the 53rd Anniversary Gravenstein Apple Fair, Saturday & Sunday, August 8 & 9, at Ragle Ranch Regional Park in Sebastopol! Voted Sonoma County’s Best Festival, Best Art Event & Best Charity Event, the Fair is where joy takes root! Join our Dairy Advisor, Randi Black, on August 9th at 1:30pm for the Women in Ag Panel. We’ll celebrate all things apple, the best local food and drink, top regional music, family and farm fun, arts & crafts, and more!

A two-time winner of the Sonoma County Tourism Stars of the Industry Award for its impressive Zero Waste program, the Fair is the annual fundraiser for the nonprofit Sonoma County Farm Trails. Find out more and buy tickets in advance at GravensteinAppleFair.com.

’s 5th Annual Grant Application is live, and $40,000 in grant funds are available! Applications are open to established small CA-based farms, ranches, fishing, and aquaculture operations looking to accomplish a specific project within one year. PCF is accepting applications from July 6 to 20, 2026. In 2026, they will distribute four $10,000 grants to eligible applicants: three to new operations and one to a PCF Grant Awardee alumnus. Please note that many aspects of their Grant Application have changed this year, including the time frames and process. We encourage you to carefully read their updated Eligibility and Participation Requirements to ensure you are up to speed with these 2026 modifications.

When wildfire emergencies impact agricultural communities, farmers and ranchers often face difficult decisions. Livestock still need care. Irrigation systems need monitoring. Crops and equipment may be at risk.

To help agricultural operators prepare for these situations, UCCE Sonoma collaborated with local partners to develop an online Fire Safety Training course that supports California's Agricultural Access Verification Program (Ag Pass).

The self-paced course provides foundational fire safety knowledge and fulfills the training requirement for the Agricultural Access Verification Card, helping producers better understand emergency operations and wildfire safety protocols.

Now available online, the course can be completed on your schedule.

Registration is $25.

Learn more and register here ➡️ https://shorturl.at/FtprD

Now Available! UCCE Sonoma Develops Online Fire Safety Course for Ag Access (Ag Pass) Programs | From Soil to Science UC Cooperative Extension’s Northern Bay Area (Sonoma, Napa and Marin) Fire Science Program and the UC ANR Fire Network are pleased to announce an online Fire Safety Training course for the Ag Pass Program. This course was created to address a need expressed by agricultural stakeholders to support ...

Calling all small egg producers and backyard flock owners! 🥚

Join CDFA’s Egg Safety and Quality Management Program for a free virtual workshop on August 13 from 12–1 p.m. Learn about California Egg Handler Registration, labeling requirements, regulations, and more.

Register today!
Questions? Email [email protected]

🐄🫜🐟 "...Whereas, strengthening connections between the public, local agriculture, and applied research is vital to improving agricultural literacy amongst residents, policymakers, and visitors, and to fostering informed public understanding of food production, land stewardship, the realities of farming and ranching, and agriculture’s central role in the County’s economy, heritage, and future"

Read the full story here ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/3t4aj9yh

🌾 Sonoma County is investing in the future of agriculture.

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has approved a new action plan designed to strengthen local agriculture, support farmers and ranchers, protect working lands and help the industry adapt to economic and environmental challenges.

The plan was developed through a collaborative partnership among Sonoma County Ag + Open Space, the Sonoma County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures, Permit Sonoma and the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE North Bay).

Agriculture is a cornerstone of Sonoma County’s economy, culture and identity. This roadmap focuses on long-term sustainability, workforce development, climate resilience and expanding opportunities for local producers.

By working together with agricultural leaders, community partners and producers, Sonoma County is helping ensure that farming and ranching continue to thrive for generations to come.

Learn more: https://sonomacounty.gov/board-of-supervisors-approves-action-plan-to-strengthen-sonoma-county-agriculture

It's the perfect time to book your tickets to Congress and plan to join us in June in Santa Rosa, CA!

Tickets are on sale now along with add-on experiences! Book here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/natga-congress-spring-2026-tickets-1981798775486?aff=oddtdtcreator

Important Agricultural Alert for Sonoma County Residents. The Sonoma County Ag Commissioner confirmed the presence of suspected glassy-winged sharpshooter life stages on the received plant material. Glassy-winged sharpshooters pose an immediate and serious threat to Sonoma County vineyards because they transmit the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa which causes the deadly Pierce’s disease in grapevines, please contact the Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures to safely dispose of vines and inspect other plants.
Residents who purchased plants at Costco stores in Sonoma County between April 21 and May 20th should please:
• For grapevines: place two garbage bags over the plants and secure them tightly.
• For citrus: follow the contact information below to schedule Agriculture Department inspection.
• Do not place plants in the trash or compost bin.
• Contact the Sonoma County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures at (707) 565-2371 or email [email protected] to schedule inspection of grapevines and other plant material purchased at Costco stores between April 21 and May 20 and receive guidance on how to prevent further spread and infestation of the glassy-winged sharpshooter.

Contact the Ag Commissioner's office if you purchased plant materials at Costco between April 21 and May 20, 2026.