The moment a wildfire starts near you, you'll get an instant alert and simple tips to reduce your smoke exposure.
30xSmaller than a human hair
Fine enough to reach deep into the lungs. A MERV 13 is built to capture it.
It Doesn't Stay Local
Smoke rides the wind far downwind — you can get smoky air with no fire nearby.
Simple steps to reduce indoor exposure.
During smoke events, the EPA recommends upgrading to a MERV 13 filter — or the highest-rated filter your system can handle — to help reduce the fine particles smoke brings indoors. MERV 13 is the level most home HVAC systems can run while still capturing PM2.5, the fine particulate that makes up the bulk of wildfire smoke.
Over 70,000 wildfires burn in the U.S. every year.
Wildfire smoke can travel 1,000+ miles, affecting states that aren't even near the blaze.
Exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen asthma, trigger heart issues, and lead to ER visits.
Indoor air can hold more fine particles during wildfire events unless it's properly filtered.
The EPA advises using MERV 13 filters or portable HEPA air cleaners during wildfire smoke events.
Use the live wildfire smoke tracker and upgrade your air filters today to protect your lungs and your home.
Shop Filters For Smoke Protection
Where Are the Fires Now and How Is Smoke Impacting Air Quality?
San Bernardino can get smoke from several directions. Fires in the San Bernardino Mountains, the Cajon Pass, the high desert or even from Riverside County can all push smoke into the valley. Terrain and wind changes in the afternoon can move smoke into neighborhoods that looked clear earlier. That is why checking the live smoke map is more reliable than just looking at the sky.
This guide shows how to see today’s conditions, what local patterns to watch, what to do inside, and how to keep filters ready.
Check the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map for San Bernardino CA in the morning and again if wind speed or direction changes or if haze builds near the mountains.
At AQI above 100 move activity indoors especially for children, older adults, and people with asthma or heart and lung problems.
Keep windows and doors closed, run AC or HVAC on “recirculate” and use the highest MERV filter your system can handle. Keep a HEPA purifier running in one room.
Smoke in San Bernardino can load filters faster because of heat dust and valley geography so look at the filter right after a smoky day.
Open the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.
Check monitor readings for AQI and PM2.5.
Turn on the smoke layer to see where plumes are moving.
Pan north toward the mountains and west toward the Cajon Pass to see where smoke could come from later.
This tells you what the air is right now and which direction the smoke is traveling.
Fires in the San Bernardino National Forest can drain smoke downslope into city areas especially overnight or in the morning.
Smoke from the Cajon Pass or high desert can move into the valley when winds turn.
Afternoon winds can pull smoke off the hillsides and spread it across lower neighborhoods.
Because of these local effects it is better to check the map at least twice on days when fires are active.
Close The House
Shut windows and doors. Put the A C or central system on recirculate so outdoor smoky air is not being pulled indoors.
Run The Fan
Set the thermostat fan to “On” during smoky hours. More indoor air will pass through the filter.
Use The Best Filter Your System Allows
Most homes run MERV 8 or MERV 11. On smoke days you can use MERV 13 if air at the vents still feels normal. Keep a spare filter on hand because San Bernardino heat and dust can fill a 1-inch filter faster.
Make One Cleaner Room
Pick a bedroom or main room. Keep the door mostly closed and run a True HEPA purifier there. If you use a box fan filter, build it with a newer fan and watch it while it runs.
Do not add more particles
Skip candles incense and heavy stovetop cooking during smoky hours. Keep bath and kitchen exhaust running short so you do not pull smoky air inside.
Try to do yard work workouts and errands when the map shows better air over San Bernardino. If AQI climbs over 100 sensitive groups should stay inside more and avoid hard activity. If you must be outside in heavier smoke use a well-fitting N95 or P100. Cloth masks and loose surgical masks do not filter wildfire smoke well. In the car keep the windows up and set the air to recirculate.
After one or two smoky days pull the HVAC filter out and look at it. Replace early if the media looks dark or streaked if the house smells smoky when the unit starts or if airflow from supply vents is weaker. Do the same with room purifiers or DIY filters.
San Bernardino homes can see dust heat and wildfire smoke in the same week. That is hard on thin filters. Filterbuy makes pleated HVAC filters in MERV 8 MERV 11 and MERV 13 in standard and custom sizes, so the filter fits tight and cleans the air that passes through it. Filters are made in the USA and ship fast with free delivery. You can also set Auto Delivery, so a clean filter arrives before the next fire or wind event.
Use the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map and search “San Bernardino, CA.” That will show AQI, PM2.5, nearby fires, and the smoke layer.
Smoke can drain downhill from the San Bernardino National Forest into the valley, especially when the air is calm or shifting.
Yes. Morning can look okay, then wind through the Cajon Pass or off the slopes can bring smoke in later.
When AQI is over 100, keep kids, older adults, and people with asthma or heart and lung problems indoors more and avoid hard outdoor activity.
Keep windows closed and set the system to recirculate so you are reusing indoor air, not pulling smoky air in.
Use the highest MERV your system can handle without making airflow weak. Many homes run MERV 8 or 11 daily and go to MERV 13 only if vents still blow normally.
San Bernardino can have dust plus smoke and heat. That can load a 1 inch filter in a day or two. Check and replace early.
Yes. It gives you one room with cleaner air for sleeping or for someone with breathing issues.
Keep them short during smoky hours because they can pull outdoor air inside.
Windows up and A/C on recirculate. That helps keep vehicle cabin air from getting smoky.
