Every summer, wildfire smoke affects communities throughout Colorado. Even when fires are hundreds of miles away, smoke can travel long distances and impact air quality in mountain communities like Breckenridge, Frisco, Silverthorne, Vail, Beaver Creek, Edwards, and Aspen.

For people who use supplemental oxygen or live with chronic respiratory conditions, poor air quality can raise important questions: Can wildfire smoke affect oxygen levels? Should oxygen settings be changed during smoky conditions? What steps can you take to stay safe?

Wildfire smoke can make breathing more difficult, but supplemental oxygen should only be used according to your healthcare provider's instructions. Understanding how smoke affects your lungs, improving indoor air quality, and preparing your oxygen equipment can help you navigate wildfire season with greater confidence.

How Wildfire Smoke Affects Your Lungs

Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles known as PM2.5, along with gases and other pollutants that can irritate your eyes and airways. Because these particles are so small, they can travel deep into your lungs.

For many healthy people, wildfire smoke may cause temporary irritation. However, individuals with chronic respiratory conditions often experience more severe symptoms.

Common symptoms include:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Sore throat
• Burning or watery eyes
• Fatigue
• Headaches

Smoke conditions can change quickly throughout the day, particularly in Colorado's mountain valleys where temperature inversions may trap smoke close to the ground.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Wildfire smoke can affect anyone, but some people are more vulnerable than others.

You may be at higher risk if you have:

• COPD
• Emphysema
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Asthma
• Chronic bronchitis
• Heart disease
• A weakened immune system
• A prescription for supplemental oxygen

Older adults and people living at higher elevations may also notice breathing becomes more difficult when smoke levels increase.

Does Supplemental Oxygen Help During Wildfire Smoke?

Supplemental oxygen helps people whose blood oxygen levels are too low because of an underlying medical condition. It is not a treatment for wildfire smoke itself.

Wildfire smoke can irritate your lungs, trigger inflammation, and make breathing feel more difficult. While oxygen therapy helps correct low blood oxygen levels, it does not remove smoke particles from the air or reduce irritation caused by smoke exposure.

Continue using your oxygen exactly as your healthcare provider has prescribed. If your breathing becomes worse during periods of poor air quality, contact your healthcare provider rather than adjusting your oxygen settings on your own.

Should You Increase Your Oxygen Flow?

In most cases, no.

Your prescribed oxygen flow rate is based on your individual medical needs. Increasing the flow without medical guidance may not improve your symptoms and could be inappropriate for your condition.

Contact your healthcare provider promptly for guidance if you notice:

• Increased shortness of breath
• Lower oxygen saturation than your provider recommends
• Difficulty completing everyday activities
• Symptoms that continue to worsen

Can an Oxygen Concentrator Filter Wildfire Smoke?

No. An oxygen concentrator separates oxygen from the surrounding air, but it is not an air purifier and should not be relied upon to remove wildfire smoke from your home.

To improve indoor air quality during wildfire events:

• Keep windows and doors closed when possible.
• Run your home's HVAC system with a clean filter.
• Consider using a HEPA air purifier.
• Limit activities that bring outdoor air inside.
• Monitor local air quality conditions before going outdoors.

Improving indoor air quality helps reduce smoke exposure while your oxygen equipment continues to provide the oxygen your provider has prescribed.

Wildfire Smoke at Colorado's Higher Elevations

Colorado's mountain communities present unique challenges for people using supplemental oxygen. At elevations throughout Summit County, Eagle County, and other mountain regions, the combination of higher altitude and wildfire smoke can make breathing feel more difficult for some individuals.

At higher elevations, there is naturally less oxygen available in the air. For someone living with COPD or another chronic lung condition, that can already make breathing more demanding. When wildfire smoke is added to the mix, symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath may become more noticeable.

Smoke can also linger longer in mountain valleys depending on weather conditions, even after skies appear to clear. It's a good idea to check local air quality before spending extended time outdoors.

When Should You Contact Your Healthcare Provider?

Call your healthcare provider if you experience:

• More shortness of breath than usual
• Oxygen saturation below the range recommended by your provider
• Increased coughing or wheezing
• Difficulty performing normal daily activities
• Questions about your prescribed oxygen therapy during periods of poor air quality

Seek emergency medical care or call 911 if you experience:

• Severe difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Blue lips or fingertips
• Loss of consciousness

We're Here to Help

For more than 25 years, AlpinAire has helped people throughout Colorado's mountain communities access dependable oxygen equipment and personalized support. If you have questions about preparing your oxygen equipment for wildfire season or need assistance with your oxygen therapy, our team is here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does wildfire smoke lower oxygen levels?

Wildfire smoke can make breathing more difficult and may worsen existing lung disease. People with chronic respiratory conditions may experience lower oxygen levels, but not everyone exposed to smoke will need supplemental oxygen.

Should I use more oxygen during wildfire smoke?

No. Continue using oxygen exactly as prescribed unless your healthcare provider instructs you to make changes.

Can an oxygen concentrator remove wildfire smoke from the air?

No. Oxygen concentrators provide concentrated oxygen but do not clean or filter indoor air. A HEPA air purifier is designed for that purpose.

Is it safe to go outside during wildfire smoke if I use oxygen?

It depends on current air quality and your medical condition. Many people with chronic lung disease should limit outdoor activity when the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches unhealthy levels. Check local air quality reports and follow your healthcare provider's recommendations.

How can I prepare for wildfire season?

Make sure your oxygen equipment is working properly, keep backup supplies available, charge portable concentrator batteries, monitor air quality, and have an emergency plan in case you need to leave your home.

Can wildfire smoke damage my oxygen equipment?

Wildfire smoke does not typically damage oxygen equipment, but oxygen concentrators are not designed to filter smoke from the air. Keep your equipment away from excessive dust, smoke, and outdoor pollutants, and follow your manufacturer's cleaning and maintenance instructions.