Protecting wildfire firefighters from the dangers of smoke exposure is not as easy as it seems

Once the wildfire flames are extinguished, a thick layer of smoke spreads from smoldering hot spots on the ground, filling the air with toxic chemicals that firefighters can breathe for hours.

He said that stage of fighting the fire, as described by a former Manitoba wildland firefighter, is the peak of poor air quality.

“At the end of the day, you’re blowing your nose and it’s all black,” said the firefighter, whom CBC has agreed not to name because he fears retribution for speaking out.

It’s a danger that comes with fighting wildfires, he said.

“You know, you’re there for the job.”

Experts have warned that exposure levels to gases and particulate matter can be harmful. and as canada Sees longer and more active wildfire seasonEmployees will likely face increased smoke exposure.

“The best recommendation we can give is to try to limit your exposure as much as you can,” said Christopher Pascoe, associate professor at the University of Manitoba.Specializing in chronic respiratory diseases.

Manitoba has relied on disposable masks and training to help firefighters deal with air pollution. But protection from wildfire smoke is not as easy as it seems.

The cover may be a hindrance

During 15 hours of strenuous activity – lifting heavy loads, traversing uneven terrain, setting up equipment and dealing with the heat – toxins in the air were the last concern for the former firefighter who spoke to CBC.

“I’ll put on my bandana, then I’ll just keep working through it,” he said.

However, the gases in wildfire smoke can have a variety of health effects, U of M’s Pascoe said.

Short-term, this may mean difficulty breathing, cough or sore throat. With repeated exposure and limited protection, long-term effects increase the risk of heart and lung diseases, including cancer, he said.

Some masks, such as respirators, can provide the filters needed to protect workers from dangerous particles in wildfire smoke.

But the Manitoba government and the General Employees Union – which represents wildland firefighters in the province – say their use comes with special considerations.

While the union is concerned about health issues for workers exposed to smoke, MGEU President Kyle Ross said bulky face coverings could hinder an already demanding job.

“It builds up and it degrades them… because there’s something that’s slowing them down,” Ross said.

A spokesperson for the province said disposable N95 masks are offered to firefighters who want to use them.

Pascoe said this kind of gear will trap 95 percent of harmful airborne particles, but it also has some disadvantages.

If masks are not worn tightly enough, they will not provide protection. Will still let N95s work when they happen Through dangerous gases, he said. They can also contribute to a feeling of breathlessness when firefighters are working hard.

Oxygen tanks, used by urban firefighters, are not a practical option in fighting wildfires because they are heavy and cumbersome, and provide a limited oxygen supply.

Cartridge respirators are a better option, Pascoe said, because cartridges trap wildfire gases. However, respirators can put pressure on circulation, and those whose eyes are covered are at risk of fogging. Cartridges may also need to be replaced frequently depending on smoke levels.

“There is some innovation that is definitely needed to improve respirators,” Pascoe said.

Province provides N95

Manitoba Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushey said the province wants to protect workers from the dangers of wildfire smoke, but has to consider the physical effects of wearing masks.

Firefighters have raised concerns about heat exhaustion and difficulty breathing, Bushey said in a statement.

The former wildland firefighter told CBC the province did not provide him with masks or other respiratory protection gear until the end of the season, by which time he was already using a bandana to filter the smoke.

But Pascoe said it doesn’t provide any meaningful filtration, and can only capture larger particles like ash. Fabric can also cause absorption Release of pollutants through the skin.

The former firefighter said that while it might have protected him, wearing a heavy face covering — over a helmet and sometimes a face shield — would be restrictive.

“It’s kind of your thing… you’re working hard, you’re sweating, you’re breathing through your mouth because you’re tired,” he said.

This wouldn’t mean a “complete blockage,” the former firefighter said, but rather “it would just be something that you would need to carry extra.”

In addition to masks, wildland firefighters in Manitoba are trained to shield themselves from heavy smoke by moving air away from them, a provincial spokesperson said.

Personnel are also taught how to keep dust down when using water hoses to suppress fires using various techniques.

The former firefighter said he received this training, and it was implemented in the field to avoid being directly affected by wildfire smoke as much as possible. But conditions such as wind direction can change, he said.

‘Piece of a broader puzzle’

British Columbia, meanwhile, has other approaches to reducing risk, such as rotating crews through smoky areas, conducting final cleanup of fire areas only after fires are completely extinguished, and finding clean air sites for sleeping camps.

“Respiratory protection is one piece of a broader puzzle,” said Natasha Broznitsky, a senior officer with the BC Wildfire Service.

“It’s not about finding a silver bullet. It’s about doing as many things as possible where they make sense.”

But fighting wildfires is complex, and sometimes it is not possible to follow protocols that can reduce risk. That’s why supplying respirators is one of the easiest safety options, said Drew Liechty, an occupational hygiene expert at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, B.C.

He is helping the BC Wildfire Service, which was launched in 2024 three different gear options For its employees: two different types of respirators with cartridges, and an N95 mask model with a valve to improve air flow.

The wildfire service provides training on how to use the equipment, and wearing it is not mandatory. But since it has been offered, about half of eligible workers have ordered the gear, Liechty said.

While the former Manitoba firefighter said he might not have opted for better respiratory protection equipment, others might have. He said, it is important to have an alternative.

“Some people will like it, especially when it’s extremely smoky,” he said.

But Liechty said as wildfire season becomes more severe, days like this could become more frequent.

“It’s likely to get even more unhealthy if nothing is done to reduce the risk,” he said.