Farm Safety

Reducing The Risks of Wildfire Smoke Exposure

Californians are no strangers to wildfires. For agricultural producers and workers, wildfires disrupt every part of farm operations; from crops and livestock, to equipment, water supplies, transportation, and the ability to safely work outdoors.

Even when not directly threatened by fires, farms and ranches can be affected by smoke traveling long distances creating hazardous conditions. Agricultural workers are particularly vulnerable to smoke exposure because their jobs require long hours of physically demanding work outdoors, ¹ increasing the duration and intensity of their exposure.  

Wildfire smoke is an important  safety concern; the effects on physical health can be immediate, while others are difficult to see and may not become apparent until later. The greatest health hazard from wildfire smoke comes from particles such as PM2.5.¹  Exposure can cause coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, reduced lung function, and worsening of existing heart and lung conditions.¹

Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Resources

Emergency preparedness helps reduce risks to workers during an active wildfire; this includes monitoring conditions, evacuation orders, road closures, and air quality, and having a plan for quick communication when conditions change. Appropriate respiratory protection, such as N95 filtering facepiece respirators,² is especially important when working outdoors. Employers and workers should follow evacuation orders and should not be expected to work in areas where conditions are unsafe. Other safety precautions include having plans for safely evacuating or relocating livestock, securing equipment and hazardous materials, and accounting for all employees.

The resources below offer practical guidance for agricultural producers, employers, and workers on staying safe during active wildfires.

• UC ANR Fire Network: Provides guidance for reducing the risks from wildfires by creating a defensible space, and protecting agricultural infrastructures protecting crops.³
• State of California Department of Industrial Relations: Offers resources to help California employers protect workers from the hazards of wildfire smoke exposure.⁴ 
• California Air Resources Board: Provides information on checking air quality, reducing exposure to wildfire smoke, and keeping indoor air clean.⁵
• WCAHS Wildfire Smoke Exposure Training:  Offers resources to help understand and reduce the risk associated with wildfire smoke exposure, including a worksite checklist with action items for preparing for and responding to smoke hazards.⁶