Air Quality and Emergencies
Volcanoes
When volcanoes erupt, they release ash and harmful gases that can make it hard to breathe. Find out how to stay safe during and after a volcanic eruption.
- Key Facts About Protecting Yourself During a Volcanic Eruption
- Key Facts About Protecting Yourself After a Volcanic Eruption
Learn more about substances that can be released into the air during a volcanic eruption:

Photo: U.S. Geological Survey
Wildfires
Smoke from wildfires can affect the air that you breathe. Use these resources to protect your family’s health if there’s a wildfire in your area.
- Choosing and fitting respirators to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke pdf icon[PDF – 2.68 MB]external icon
- Create a Clean Room to Protect Indoor Air Quality During a Wildfire (EPA)external icon
- Fires: Current Conditions (AirNow)external icon
- Guidance for Health Professionals: Health Risks of Wildfires for Children external icon
- Guidance for Health Professionals: Protecting Children from Wildfire Smoke and Ashexternal icon
- Indoor Air Filtrationexternal icon
- National Weather Service Air Quality Forecastexternal icon
- Prepare for Fire Seasonexternal icon
- Prescribed Fires and Air Quality
- Protect Yourself from Ashexternal icon
- Protect Your Lungs: Respiratorsexternal icon
- Protecting Children from Wildfire Smoke and Ashexternal icon
- Protect Your Large Animals and Livestock from Wildfire Smokeexternal icon
- Protect Your Pets from Wildfire Smokeexternal icon
- Reduce Your Smoke Exposureexternal icon
- Smoke Ready Toolbox for Wildfiresexternal icon
- Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officialsexternal icon
- Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality (EPA)external icon
- Wildfires: Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Wildfires: Information for Pregnant Women and Parents of Young Infants
- Wildfires: What YOU Need to Know (Public Health Matters Blog)
Page last reviewed: May 4, 2021
Content source: National Center for Environmental Health