In June 2025, Nevada enacted Senate Bill 260 (SB 260), directing the Division of Industrial Relations (DIR) and Nevada OSHA to develop a dedicated wildfire smoke standard for affected workers by January 1, 2026. The new rule will clarify when employers must act during smoke events and what those actions should include. Nevada joins California,… Read more »
Wildfire Facts and Stats Supporting Wildfire Protection Plans in 2025
What are some of the largest wildfires in U.S. history? How might smoke from wildfires impact your health? How can you help your city create a community wildfire protection plan? You will find science-based answers to those questions and more in the following Wildfire FAQs. We’re also providing links to additional resources that can help… Read more »
Wildfire Smoke Safety for Businesses – 2026 Field Guide
Wildfire smoke is more than a newspaper headline, it has become an annual operational hazard. Wildfire smoke can threaten employee health, degrade equipment, disrupt supply chains, and expose your company to numerous regulations. The following guide translates current best practices into a straightforward action plan you can execute with your facilities, safety, and operations teams…. Read more »
Navigating Indoor Mold Risks in Post-Wildfire or Flood Events
When a building survives a wildfire or flood, it’s easy to breathe a sigh of relief and assume the worst is over. But the truth is, recovery has only begun. One of the most persistent—and often hidden—after-effects of disasters is mold growth. Long after the flames are out or the water recedes, mold can silently… Read more »
Washington State Wildfire Smoke Rules Will Now Be Permanent
Wildfire smoke inhalation can threaten the health of outdoor workers. The past two summer fire seasons in the state of Washington saw conditions warranting the adoption of temporary special worker safety rules to mitigate the issue. Now, the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is enacting a permanent wildfire smoke rule. In this article,… Read more »
The Invisible Threat Wildfire Smoke Poses to Your Health
Whether the wildfire is hundreds of miles away or too close for comfort, step outside on a smoky afternoon and the world looks different. The sky is the wrong shade, the sun is a weird color, and your nostrils sting like you’re standing too close to a campfire. You’re not imagining the danger: nearly 156 million… Read more »
Wildfire Evacuation: Plan Now Before You Need It
When minutes make the difference: At 6:29 a.m. on November 8, 2018, a small fire near Pulga, California looked like any other readily controllable blaze. At 8:03 am the first evacuation order was issued for Paradise, California. Within minutes the two main roads out of Paradise were gridlocked, visibility was gone, and people abandoned cars… Read more »
Protecting Schools Against the Risks of Wildfire Smoke Particulate Matter
Wildfires are occurring more frequently than ever before, and the smoke from those fires is threatening the health of not only those who live near the fire but can adversely impact schools and communities hundreds of miles away. Air quality degradation due to wildfire smoke often puts school administrators in the uncomfortable position of balancing… Read more »
Oregon Adopts New Heat and Wildfire Smoke Rules
Oregon OSHA recently published two new rules to protect workers from the effects of excessive exposure to heat and wildfire smoke. Both will require certain preparatory actions from employers. In this article, we’ll summarize the new Oregon OSHA requirements and alert Oregon businesses of the importance of developing a strategy for compliance with the regulations…. Read more »
Wildfire Smoke Regulations and the COVID Epidemic
One Cal/OSHA COVID-19 regulation (3205) requires employers to maximize outside air ventilation to prevent the spread of the virus. Another Cal/OSHA mandate (5141.1) requires minimum exposure to outside air. Which rule should a facilities manager follow? How can you protect employees from the potentially harmful effects of smoke from wildfire, continue to combat COVID, and… Read more »
Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) and Wildfire Smoke Preparation Planning
Wildfire preparation plans are essential for helping staff at schools, hospitals, and other commercial buildings prepare for smoke intrusion and other complications that may arise from wildland fires, but they often fall short on covering something that can be just as critical: power outages. Last year’s fire season in California provided real-life examples of the… Read more »
California Protection from Wildfire Smoke: An Overview
Are you prepared for a wildfire smoke emergency? If you’re a California employer, monitoring air quality and taking action to protect the health of your employees against high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during wildfires is no longer an option. You’re now required by law to take certain actions, unless you qualify for an… Read more »
Wildfire Planning for Business: Prepare, Respond, Recover
Despite regular tips and pleas from the United States Forest Service and other agencies, wildfires still happen and wildfire planning is still needed. Whether ignited by a careless camper or a lightning storm, it’s 100 percent certain that forests are going to burn, highways are going to be closed, and people are going to suffer… Read more »
Fire Legal Liability: Who Is Responsible When Business Structures Are Involved?
Fire legal liability is an issue companies and organizations often try to avoid facing head on. We hope you don’t follow that lead. The truth about fire legal liability can be a tough pill to swallow. Here’s the truth: Your business is at risk of fire liability litigation – even if you didn’t start the… Read more »
Wildfire Smoke and its Impact on Your Home
Massive wildfires continue to devastate the west coast and are expected to increase as we enter fire season. These wildfires cause millions of dollars in damage, neighborhood displacement, and emotional distress for property owners and occupants. In the wake of this destruction, many property owners, insurance companies, and neighboring residents are looking for answers. Has my home been impacted? What needs to be cleaned? Is it safe for me to clean it myself?
Wildfire Smoke Awareness
Brush and Forest Fires
This is a difficult time for many in the Southwest United States as we witness the devastation and damage of the raging wildfires. At Forensic Analytical Consulting Services (FACS), our passion is protecting the health of people, families, communities and the environment through assessment, education and prevention. As such, we hope you find the following information and resources beneficial.
Wildfire Smoke Environmental Health Bulletin
Brush and Forest Fires This is a difficult time for many in the Southwest United States as we witness the devastation and damage of the raging wildfires. At Forensic Analytical Consulting Services (FACS), our passion is protecting the health of people, families, communities and the environment through assessment, education and prevention. As such, we hope… Read more »