Cleaner and Cooler Air Spaces

Cleaner and cooler air spaces can help protect your health during wildfire smoke events, poor air quality events and periods of extreme heat.

These spaces are designed to improve indoor air quality and help keep indoor temperatures comfortable. They can be set up in your home or provided in community facilities during smoke or heat events.

Understand cleaner and cooler air spaces

A cleaner and cooler air space combines two important protections:

Cleaner air

A cleaner air space uses air filtration to reduce the amount of smoke and other pollutants that enter or build up indoors. 

Cooler air

A cooler air space uses air conditioning or other cooling equipment to help reduce the effects of extreme heat. 

Together, these measures can make indoor spaces safer and more comfortable during poor air quality events and heat events.

Create a cleaner and cooler air space at home

You can create a cleaner and cooler air space in:

  • your entire home
  • one floor of your home
  • a single room

Choose a space that works for the people who live in your household.

Choose the best room

Look for a space that:
  • is large enough for everyone who may need to use it
  • receives little direct sunlight
  • has well-sealed windows and doors
  • has access to essentials such as drinking water, food, washrooms and electricity

Gather the equipment you need

Consider using:
  • a portable air cleaner or air purifier
  • a do-it-yourself air cleaner
  • a portable air conditioner
  • fans
  • an indoor air quality monitor
Some air purifiers include built-in air quality monitors. Large rooms may require more than one air cleaner.

Prepare your space before wildfire season

Before smoke or heat affects your community:
  1. Test your equipment and make sure you know how to use it.
  2. Check that windows and doors seal properly.
  3. If you use a window air conditioner, confirm that the recirculation setting is working.
  4. Test your carbon monoxide alarm and make sure it is working properly.
  5. Identify and reduce sources of indoor air pollution where possible.

Use your cleaner and cooler air space during smoke events

Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible during poor air quality events to prevent smoke from entering the space.

When you receive an air quality alert or notice smoky conditions:
  1. Close doors and windows.
  2. Turn on your air cleaner or purifier.
  3. Set air conditioners to recirculate mode whenever possible.
  4. Limit activities that can worsen indoor air quality.
These activities include:
  • smoking
  • burning incense or candles
  • using wood stoves when alternatives are available
  • using strong cleaning products
  • vacuuming unless the vacuum uses a HEPA filter

Keep your home cooler when air quality is poor

If outdoor air quality prevents you from opening windows:
  • close blinds, curtains or shades during the day
  • reduce direct sunlight entering your home
  • use fans to circulate indoor air
  • spend time in a community cleaner and cooler air space if your home becomes too warm
When outdoor air quality improves and temperatures are cooler, consider opening windows to vent your home and bring in fresh air.

Clean up after smoke events

Once outdoor air quality improves:
  1. Open windows and doors to air out your home.
  2. Return window air conditioners to their normal settings.
  3. Wet dust and wet mop surfaces to remove settled particles.
  4. Store or maintain equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Use community cleaner and cooler air spaces

Some communities may open cleaner and cooler air spaces during poor air quality events or periods of extreme heat.

These facilities may include:

  • air filtration systems
  • air conditioning
  • indoor air quality monitoring equipment

Community cleaner and cooler air spaces can help reduce health risks, particularly for people who are more vulnerable to poor air quality or heat. 

Check with your community government for information about available cleaner and cooler air spaces and other community facilities that may be open during smoke or extreme heat events.

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Updated: Aug 17, 2026