I first wrote this as a Facebook note in 2007 when Florida and the Southeastern states were plunged into wildfires. I re-posted it in 2011 when they were raging again—this time in Arizona, New Mexico, California … and also Florida. And again in 2018 when they ravaged California. Then again in September of 2020 when the West Coast states were burning up on top of Covid-19 spreading its own wildfires.
In 2023 and again in 2024, the smoke from terrible wildfires in Canada wafted across the United States and caused a crisis of pollution. The Summer of 2024, was a particularly active year for the U.S., with over 64,000 wildfires burning nearly 9 million acres—well above the 10-year average.In 2025 fires devastated California, Oregon, Colorado, and many other states. The numbers of wildfires is vary from year to year but the recent droughts mean more wildfires in more places
2026 has had dangerous, record-breaking droughts across much of North America. As of mid July, while I am updating this article, over 40,000 fires are actively burning nearly 4 million acres in the U.S., and almost 900 active fires are raging across Canada. Air quality is desperate in the Northern and Northeastern states from smoke wafting into the US from Canadian wildfires.
Strong winds carry smoke hundreds or even thousands of miles away, thereby affecting millions more people. The problem is obvious when you can see the smog or smoke but tiny particulates hang in the air even after the worst is over and these can cause a myriad health problems.
Use an air quality checking tool to make sure your air is clear before you go outside, especially to walk the dog or play with your kids! AirNow is brilliantly helpful. After entering your zip scroll down for more information about which pollutants and/or particulates are prevalent in your area now. Most weather apps on phones have an AQI (Air Quality Index) built in for quick and easy checking. Whether there’s smoke or not. Mine app is called Weather Bug and the air quality section is called Air You Breathe! See Essential Resources at the end of this article for links.
Smoke particles are irritating and can cause runny eyes and noses, sore or scratchy throats and eyes, inflamed sinuses, headaches, coughs, and difficulty breathing. Some people are more sensitive than others, especially the very young, the very old, and those with allergies or any kind of respiratory condition like bronchitis, asthma or COPD (emphysema).
Read more about the risks from fine and course particulate matter and other pollutants here. Plus suggestions for creating a ‘safe’ room in your house.
If you can stay in your home here are some steps you can take if you can smell smoke in your neighborhood and you are sensitive to it:
If you are in an area with high risk, use one bedroom or another comfortable room, close its windows and doors, avoid cooking, candles, etc. in there. Run a properly sized HEPA air cleaner continuously when possible. If an air purifier isn’t available to you, here is an article from the EPA with instructions and a video on how to make an effective and safe DIY system.
Wildfire smoke can also take a toll on the birds and animals around us! One of the most important things to remember for all creatures (including you!) is that we all need FRESH, clean water.
- Cell Salts added to their water can add a layer of support for the critters in your life.
For birds:
Birds may be displaced from their usual habitats and arrive in our gardens tired, thirsty, and searching for somewhere safe to rest and refuel.
For cats, dogs and other household pets:
For horses and lifestock:
Watch for coughing, gagging, red or watery eyes, unusual tiredness, rapid breathing while resting, or difficulty breathing. Contact your veterinarian promptly if you notice concerning symptoms.
During the wildfires in Florida, many people found relief from smoke inhalation symptoms by turning to one of the remedies below. If one of these remedies happens to be a good constitutional remedy for you, your loved ones, or your pets, then you may be more likely to need it during a “smoke attack” because of your susceptibility and the remedy’s ability to help this kind of problem. Depending on your symptoms, one of the following homeopathic remedies may prove useful for the effects of smoke:
For smoke exposure with anxiety.
For simple smoke exposure with irritation to eyes and possibly nose and no other symptoms.
For more serious smoke exposure with irritated sinuses and/or lungs.
Kali mur 6X (the cell salt) is a wonderful tonic for the mucus membranes and can be taken routinely to help strengthen the mucus membranes of the lungs, nose and sinuses.
Great sensitivity to smoke. Useful when the indicated remedies haven’t helped much or at all.
To help the body (especially the liver) clear out the effects of inhaled chemicals.
To help the body eject inhaled particles.
Silica 6X (the cell salt) will help the body to naturally ‘eject’ the find particulates. It is a brilliantly supportive remedy for the lungs and mucus membranes and it can be taken alongside Kali mur, typically in alternation.
Gentle, synergistic formula for congestion of nose, ears, sinuses and lungs
Phosphorus⁵ may be taken once or twice daily during particularly stressful periods to help maintain steadiness and resilience. It can also be used more frequently after an intense or draining experience, especially when someone feels depleted and is struggling to regain their usual energy and vitality.
A gentle cell salt tonic to ease worry, nervous tension, and stress while helping the mind and body settle.
Keep Rescue Remedy at hand and use liberally at any time for anyone who is stressed out, anxious or fearful—including children and pets. A small squirt under the tongue or in a glass of water (or pet’s water bowl) to be sipped as needed.
For shock with trembling and fear. Something bad happened and people feel shook up and can’t calm down.
For emotional upsets especially for losses—again, whatever the reason. People feel sad but may have difficulty crying and/or they may have crying jags or even hysterical outbursts. /
Potency (strength): Take 6X, 6C, 12C, or 30C. Whatever potency you have on hand is always the best potency!
My favorite potencies are 6X for the cell salts (Kali mur or Silica) and 12C or 30C for everything else … 12C is a lovely potency that can be easily and safely repeated.
Remedies in 30c and 200c are available in kits here in my shop or as single remedies here.
The cell salts (Kali mur 6X and Silica 6X) can be purchased individually or in a kit from my shop.
Dosage: In general homeopathic remedies should be taken 2-4 times a day (more often if symptoms are more bothersome). For more information on dosage and home prescriber support, see my Complete Homeopathy Handbook.
Repetitions: Stop on improvement and repeat as needed (i.e. if it helps and then same symptoms return).
If you’ve taken a remedy for 3-5 days and had no response, select a different remedy or call your homeopath.
If you are under constitutional homeopathic treatment, please check with your homeopath before taking one of these remedies to make sure it is the right remedy for you and that it has a good relationship with your constitutional remedy (i.e. it won’t inadvertently “counteract” your remedy/stop it from working).
Seek urgent medical help for difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent or severe wheezing, bluish lips or fingertips, confusion, fainting, or symptoms that are rapidly worsening. People with asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes or pregnancy should contact their healthcare professional about new or worsening symptoms.
WatchDuty or EPA AirNow as essential tools for your safety if a wildfire threatens. Both are citizen focused and available as free apps for phones, tablets and desktop computers..
Global Forest Watch‘s fascinating website is more geeky! You can explore the state of forests worldwide and see how tree cover is changing. Their maps use satellite data to summarize key statistics including forestation and deforestation and fire trends.
Natural disasters like wildfires, floods, and hurricanes are wake-up calls for us to be prepared. If you were told you had a short time to evacuate your home, what would you take with you? Would you have to stop and think? Would worry and panic get in the way?
Having lived through numerous hurricane seasons in South Florida and chosen to evacuate several times, I can now answer these questions. Being prepared is definitely preferable to trying to decide what to take at the last minute.
I have two lists: one for if I only have 60 seconds (or less) to leave. The 2nd list is if I have an hour or more to leave and it includes items in the event I am unlikely to be able to return to my home. These are printed out and on the fridge during hurricane season so I don’t have to stop and think.
I have important papers (house deeds, passports, certificates, insurance papers, etc.) in a small case along with my homeopath travel kits and some other essentials (always packed near the front door) that I can pick up and fling in the car along with Jeter the dog. We can pick up and go in literally 60 seconds if we have to. Having a system in place is reassuring. In the event of a real emergency, it can save precious time and the worry of important things left behind. And of course lives.
Of course I hope you are safe and out of the path of fires and smoke, and that you don’t need this information. You never know, though, when you or someone you know may be affected by the smoke from a wildfire (smoke travels long distances) or from any other type of fire. Unfortunately, a fire and attendant smoke inhalation can happen anywhere, so you might want to tuck this information away in a safe place, just in case.
Updated July 17, 2026
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