Wildfires & Portable Air Purifiers: How to Keep Indoor Air Clean When the Outside Isn’t

Wildfire season has become an unfortunate new reality for millions of people across North America. According to the CDP, more than 3,997,080 acres have burned in the U.S. in 2025. That’s only a fraction of the 18,586,360 acres that burned in Canada this year.

Every year, the more vulnerable lands, such as California and the Southwest, are becoming hotter and drier as climate change worsens, making them much more susceptible to this fire season that occurs between May and November.

Even if you don’t live in these areas, you’ve probably still been affected by these disastrous fires. Even if you can’t see the hazy orange glow that blankets cities and towns, you may have seen the haze that clings to the air, sometimes reaching all the way across the country.

That haze is the smoke that significantly compromises the air we breathe, putting families at risk of respiratory issues, irritation, and long-term health concerns.

For homeowners, the challenge is clear: how do you keep the air inside your home safe when outdoor air quality drops to dangerous levels? One of the most effective tools is the use of portable air purifiers, supported by complementary strategies like in-duct purification, proper sealing, and proactive health precautions.

Understanding the Health Risks of Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire smoke is a serious health hazard. It’s made up of a mixture of gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and fine particles (known as PM2.5). These microscopic pollutants are so small that they can pass through your nose and throat, lodge deep into the lungs, and even enter the bloodstream.

Short-term health effects may include:

• Eye, nose, and throat irritation
• Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath
• Headaches and fatigue
• Asthma flare-ups or respiratory distress

Long-term health risks include:

• Reduced lung function over time
• Increased risk of heart disease and stroke
• Higher vulnerability to infections

Children, the elderly, and people with preexisting conditions like asthma, COPD, or heart disease are especially vulnerable. For these groups, staying indoors with effective air purification systems is essential for protecting their health.

Why Portable Air Purifiers Are a Smart First Line of Defense

When wildfire smoke hits your area, closing windows and doors is a good start, but it’s certainly not enough. Tiny particles still infiltrate through small cracks and ventilation, and when you enter or exit your home, you’re holding the door open for these pollutants. That’s where portable air purifiers shine.

Key Benefits of Portable Air Purifiers

Room-to-Room Flexibility

Flexibility is in the name! These portable purifiers can be moved whenever and wherever you spend the most time. Bring them to the living rooms during the day and then bring them to your bedrooms at night. This helps ensure clean air follows your daily routine.

Targeted Filtration

Having the proper filters can make all the difference. Portables with HEPA filters capture particles as small as 0.3 microns, making them ideal for smoke-related pollutants.

Multi-Technology Protection

Many modern units, like the Field Controls TRIO Plus, combine HEPA filtration, carbon filters, UV-C light, and photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) for layered protection. That means they can capture particles, absorb harmful gases, and neutralize biological contaminants like bacteria and viruses.

Compact & Convenient

Unlike HVAC modifications, portable purifiers don’t require professional installation and can be used immediately during wildfire events.

Portable vs. In-Duct Purifiers: A Powerful Combination

While portables protect you in specific rooms, in-duct purifiers offer whole-home coverage. Installed directly into your HVAC system, they clean air before it circulates through your ducts, ensuring every room benefits.

• Portable Air Purifiers: Best for targeted, immediate relief in living spaces and bedrooms.
• In-Duct Air Purifiers: Best for long-term, whole-house solutions that run 24/7.

So, what’s the most effective strategy? Use both. A TRIO In-Duct Air Purifier ensures your entire home is covered, while a portable TRIO Plus can be moved wherever air cleaning is most urgently needed.

Features That Matter in a Portable Air Purifier

When shopping for protection against wildfire smoke, not all air purifiers are created equal. Look for:

• True HEPA Filtration: Must meet standards for removing 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
• Carbon Filters: Essential for absorbing smoke odors and VOCs that HEPA alone cannot capture.
• UV-C Light: Neutralizes airborne germs that can thrive in closed environments.
• PCO Technology: Breaks down VOCs into harmless molecules for extra chemical protection.
• CADR Rating: A higher Clean Air Delivery Rate ensures faster and more effective cleaning.

An air purifier that integrates all of these features in a single unit is the ideal solution to protect your home against the harmful smoke that’s impacting your family.

Tips Beyond Air Purifiers: Protecting Your Home from Wildfire Smoke

While air purifiers are the cornerstone of protection, pairing them with smart household practices can make your defense against smoke even stronger. Here are some practical tips to enforce in your homestead.

1.  Seal Windows and Doors

   • Apply weather stripping and caulk to minimize leaks. Seal up any holes that leak outside.
   • Use door sweeps at the bottom of exterior doors. In emergencies, stuff towels under door and window frames.
   • Consider temporary window film or plastic seals during peak smoke days.
     • Benefit: Reduces the amount of contaminated outdoor air seeping into your home.

2. Monitor Air Quality Alerts

   • Use apps or websites like AirNow.gov to check the Air Quality Index (AQI) daily.
   • When levels rise above 100 (unhealthy for sensitive groups), limit outdoor exposure and run purifiers continuously.
     • Benefit: Helps you know when to take extra precautions indoors.

3. Create a “Clean Room”

   • Designate one room in your home (often a bedroom) as a clean air zone.
   • Place your portable air purifier there, seal the room tightly, and use it as a safe space during heavy smoke periods.
   • Limit exposing this room to outdoor air. Seal up the room.
     • Benefit: Guarantees at least one area where air is consistently safe to breathe.

4. Avoid Indoor Pollution Sources

   • Don’t add more fire to the air quality.
   • Skip burning candles, using fireplaces, or cooking with gas stoves during smoky periods, as these add more pollutants to already compromised indoor air.
     • Benefit: Keeps indoor air as clean as possible without extra contaminants.

5. Maintain Your HVAC System

   • If you use central air conditioning, upgrade to a high-efficiency filter.
   • Make sure your system is serviced regularly.
   • Pairing it with an in-duct purifier will ensure smoke and pollutants don’t spread throughout the house.
     • Benefit: Extends your system’s life while protecting your health.

Taking Control During Wildfire Season

Wildfires are one of Mother Nature’s most dramatic and destructive forces. They may be beyond our personal control, but how we protect our home’s air quality is not. Take preventive measures before your air quality suffers more. By combining portable air purifiers, whole-home in-duct purification, and smart prevention strategies, you can significantly reduce exposure to harmful pollutants and create a healthier living space for you and your family.

Don’t Wait to Protect YouR Home from Smoke

Wildfires are growing more frequent and intense due to climate change and poor forest management practices. Their impact on air quality is widespread, reaching well beyond fire zones. No matter where you’re located, protecting your indoor air has never been more important.

Portable air purifiers offer quick, flexible protection where you need it most, while in-duct systems provide round-the-clock coverage for your entire home. Paired with smart habits like sealing your home, changing your purifiers’ filters, monitoring AQI, and creating a clean room, you’re better prepared for the next smoke event.

Why Field Controls?

Field Controls has been at the forefront of indoor air quality solutions for decades. Our line of TRIO Air Purifiers combines HEPA filtration, activated carbon, UV-C light, and PCO technology to deliver a multi-layered defense against smoke, VOCs, and pathogens.

Whether you need a portable unit for immediate protection or an in-duct solution for whole-house coverage, Field Controls provides air purifying, engineer-approved, medically trusted, and homeowner-friendly systems to help you breathe easier. That’s essential when wildfire smoke is in the forecast.