"Clean Rooms" Protect Public Health During Wildfire Season

The Hilger Valley Fire north of Helena marks the beginning of the 2025 summer wildfire season, and public health officials are urging residents to be prepared.

“Though wildfire smoke lies outside a typical resident’s circle of control, there are little things people can do regularly to reduce their exposure to harmful and chronic air pollution,” says Jay Plant, Lewis and Clark Public Health Environmental Health Specialist.

Exposure to wildfire smoke can harm human health, especially among individuals with existing lung and cardiovascular diseases. Studies have linked fine-particulate pollution...