Wildfire smoke has become an unfortunate reality for many communities across the globe. Even if a wildfire is hundreds or thousands of kilometres away, smoke can travel long distances, affecting air quality and creating health concerns for everyone. As a survivor of a horrific motor vehicle crash, I know that recovery can be unpredictable. Some days are difficult enough without adding another challenge like wildfire smoke. When the air quality declines, I notice it. The headaches become more intense, fatigue sets in more quickly, and even simple tasks can feel overwhelming. If you’re experiencing something similar, please know you’re not imagining it, and you’re certainly not alone.
Whether you’re healing from physical injuries, a traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, or psychological trauma, wildfire smoke may worsen existing symptoms and make recovery more difficult. Here are some ways to protect your health while continuing your recovery journey.
Why Wildfire Smoke Can Affect Recovery
Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles and gases that can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Exposure may lead to coughing, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. Even healthy individuals can experience discomfort during periods of poor air quality. For crash survivors, these symptoms can overlap with injuries already being managed. Increased fatigue, headaches, brain fog, or breathing difficulties may make it harder to participate in rehabilitation, attend medical appointments, or simply get through the day.
Know Your Risk
Some crash survivors may be more sensitive to wildfire smoke than others, particularly those who:
- Have chest or rib injuries.
- Live with asthma, COPD, or other respiratory conditions.
- Are recovering from a traumatic brain injury.
- Experience chronic pain or fatigue.
- Take medications that may contribute to dehydration or heat sensitivity.
- Have anxiety or PTSD, where smoke or emergency situations may increase stress or trigger emotional responses.
Stay Indoors When Possible
When air quality is poor, limiting outdoor exposure can significantly reduce the amount of smoke you breathe. Keep windows and doors closed and, if available, use air conditioning or an air purifier with a HEPA filter to improve indoor air quality. If your home becomes too warm, consider visiting an air-conditioned public building if it is safe to do so.
Check Air Quality Before Heading Outside
Before going for a walk, attending an appointment, or spending time outdoors, check your local air quality forecast. If conditions are poor, consider postponing outdoor activities until air quality improves. If you must go outside, try to keep your time outdoors as short as possible.
Stay Hydrated
Wildfire smoke and hot summer weather can both contribute to dehydration. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help your body cope with heat and may reduce some symptoms such as headaches and fatigue. If you are taking medications or have specific medical conditions, follow your healthcare provider’s advice regarding hydration.
Listen to Your Body
Recovery isn’t always predictable, and poor air quality may cause symptoms to flare up. Pay attention to how you’re feeling. If you notice worsening headaches, dizziness, increased pain, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, or difficulty concentrating, it may be your body’s way of telling you it needs additional rest. Don’t hesitate to modify your schedule or postpone non-essential activities until conditions improve.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
For some crash survivors, wildfire smoke can also affect emotional well-being. The smell of smoke, emergency alerts, or seeing hazy skies may increase feelings of anxiety or trigger memories associated with traumatic events. If you begin feeling overwhelmed, practice coping strategies that have helped you in the past, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, listening to calming music, or connecting with a trusted friend or our support group. Always remember that emotional recovery is just as important as physical healing.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Contact your healthcare provider or seek medical attention if you experience:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
- Chest pain.
- Persistent coughing or wheezing.
- Severe headaches that do not improve.
- Dizziness or confusion.
- A significant worsening of your existing medical symptoms.
Recovery Comes First
Wildfire smoke serves as an important reminder that healing isn’t just about recovering from our injuries, it’s also about adapting to the challenges around us. If poor air quality means you need to postpone your walk, reschedule an outing, or spend the day resting indoors, that’s okay. Recovery is not measured by how much you accomplish each day, but by the care you give yourself along the way.
As wildfires continue to affect communities across Canada, our thoughts are with everyone impacted including those forced to evacuate, the firefighters and emergency responders working tirelessly to protect lives and property, and individuals whose recovery has become even more challenging because of poor air quality. Every season brings its own challenges, and wildfire smoke is another reminder that recovery requires flexibility, patience, and self-care. Whether you’re dealing with physical injuries, chronic pain, a brain injury, or the emotional effects of a crash, protecting your health today can help support your recovery tomorrow. Take care of yourself, stay aware of local air quality conditions, and don’t hesitate to slow down when your body needs it.
S. Dawne McKay is a survivor of a horrific crash that changed her life forever. Dawne shares her personal journey as a Crash Survivor Blogger and also collaborates with crash survivors as Guest Bloggers allowing them an opportunity to share their stories. She is also the author of the book, “Talk Crash to Me – What to Expect After Surviving a Collision and How to Manage Your Recovery” which is available for purchase on Amazon.
The Crash Support Network is a truly unique platform that brings together survivor-focused support and road safety education in one accessible space. Created for individuals and families affected by motor vehicle collisions, it offers online support groups, a crash survivor blog, a quarterly newsletter “ Sharing Our Recovery,” and a growing library of informative articles. Built on a foundation of connection and compassion while amplifying the importance of road safety, the Crash Support Network goes beyond a website; it’s a community united around support, education and making our roads safer for everyone.
