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Advice to shut windows and doors during wildfires helps protect against smoke pollution but can be challenging in hot weather, research suggests.
Wildfire smoke contains PM2.5, a type of fine particle pollution that can irritate the lungs. Image: Adobe.Closing windows and staying inside doesn’t completely protect you from wildfire smoke while opening windows during hot weather only makes indoor air pollution worse, preliminary findings from the University of Manchester’s Cystic Fibrosis Hub Air Quality Research team suggest.
Real-time analysis of PM2.5
Smoke from wildfires contain PM2.5, a type of fine particle pollution that can travel deep into the lungs and cause irritation, making respiratory conditions such as Cystic Fibrosis (CF), asthma and COPD worse.
“Exposure to wildfire smoke can increase symptoms including coughing, wheezing, breathlessness and chest tightness, and may trigger severe flare-ups that require medical treatment,” explained Dr Thomas Bannan, Senior Lecturer in Atmospheric Sciences.
“That is why people with existing respiratory diseases as well as children, older people and other immunocompromised people are also at greater risk of respiratory infections, hospitalisation and other serious health complications during wildfire events.”
Related articleWMO warns on wildfires: “Climate change increases the risk, but it’s not the only cause”
The team analysed real-time indoor air-quality records from 23 Greater Manchester homes monitored during two periods of wildfire activity in the nearby Pennine hills in July 2026.
Each home breached World Health Organization’s 24-hour guideline for fine particle pollution on 17 July when outdoor smoke levels peaked. The problem seemed to get worse when the windows were opened due to
Original Record.
This archived record authored by ‘Kerry Taylor-Smith’ at ‘METEORED (Your Weather)’ was recovered from data set:
English