Supporting people when air quality is heavily impacted by bushfire smoke

This guidance is to assist local government environmental health officers, building engineers and emergency management professionals, to plan for community respite to ‘cleaner air’ when local air quality becomes heavily impacted by smoke from large scale or prolonged bushfire activity. This could usefully build on planning and development of cool spaces earmarked for respite during periods of extreme heat.

Planning for and promoting cooler and cleaner air spaces or alternatively the designation of cleaner air rooms inside publicly accessible buildings is an important adaptation strategy as Victoria faces changes to its climate.

People most at risk from smoke exposure include those with existing heart or lung conditions including asthma, infants and young children, peoples over 65 years, pregnant women and people with diabetes. When air quality is continually poor, everyone needs to take care.