July 2026 — Handled Home, Moon Township, PA
Wildfire smoke has created unusually poor air quality throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. On July 16, air quality in parts of Allegheny County reached hazardous levels, followed by a statewide Code Purple air quality alert for July 17. Code Purple means the air is considered very unhealthy — not just for people with respiratory conditions, but potentially for everyone.
Although the fires may be hundreds of miles away, the tiny particles carried in wildfire smoke can enter your home through windows, doors, bathroom exhaust vents, fresh-air intakes, and other small openings. Here are some practical ways to reduce the amount of smoke entering your home and improve your indoor air quality.
It may be tempting to open the windows when the temperature drops, but outdoor air can bring fine smoke particles directly into your home. Keep windows and exterior doors closed while the Air Quality Index, or AQI, remains elevated. Ask family members to avoid repeatedly going in and out, and make sure doors close completely behind them.
Check commonly overlooked areas such as:
A screen can keep insects out, but it will not stop wildfire smoke.
Most central heating and cooling systems primarily recirculate air that is already inside the house. However, some homes have outdoor-air intakes, ventilation systems, or whole-house fans that bring in outside air. If your system has a fresh-air intake, set it to recirculate or close the outdoor-air damper during heavy smoke conditions. Do not run whole-house fans or window fans that pull outdoor air into the home.
Continue using your air conditioner if needed to keep the house at a safe temperature. The goal is to cool and filter the air without intentionally pulling in smoky outdoor air.
Your HVAC filter can help capture some of the fine particles circulating through your home, but only when the filter fits properly and the system is running. Check your filter and replace it if it appears dirty. When possible, use a MERV 13 filter or the highest-rated filter your HVAC system can safely accommodate. A filter that is too restrictive for your equipment can reduce airflow and place additional strain on the system.
Make sure the filter:
Filters may become dirty more quickly during periods of heavy smoke, so check them more frequently than usual.
A properly sized air purifier with a true HEPA filter can help reduce fine airborne particles inside your home. Place air purifiers in the rooms where people spend the most time, such as:
Keep doors and windows closed while the purifier is operating. Run it continuously on the highest comfortable setting during periods of poor air quality. Remember that the advertised coverage area often assumes the purifier is operating at its highest speed — a small purifier placed in the corner of a large open-concept home may not provide enough filtration for the entire space.
When the outdoor air is particularly bad, designate one room as the cleaner-air space for your household. Choose a room that:
A bedroom or interior family room may work well. Keep the door closed and limit activities that create additional indoor particles.
When smoke is already entering from outdoors, everyday household activities can make the indoor air worse. During an air quality alert, try to avoid:
Use your kitchen exhaust fan carefully. Exhaust fans remove indoor air, which can cause smoky outdoor air to be pulled into the house through cracks and openings. Use the fan when necessary for cooking, but avoid leaving it running longer than needed.
Wildfire smoke can reveal problems that also affect your home's comfort and energy efficiency throughout the year. Look for:
Temporary solutions such as rolled towels can help block noticeable gaps at the bottom of doors. Longer-term repairs may include replacing door sweeps, installing weatherstripping, recaulking windows, and sealing exterior penetrations. Do not permanently block combustion vents, furnace exhausts, dryer vents, or other openings required for safe equipment operation.
Keep the garage door closed as much as possible. Smoke that enters an attached garage can eventually find its way into the living area through the entry door, wall penetrations, ductwork, and gaps around framing. Do not idle vehicles, generators, lawn equipment, or other fuel-burning engines inside the garage, even if the main garage door is open. Check the door between the garage and the house to make sure it closes tightly and has intact weatherstripping.
Postpone mowing, landscaping, pressure washing, construction work, and other strenuous outdoor projects when the AQI is unhealthy. Wildfire smoke contains PM2.5, particles small enough to travel deep into the lungs. Physical activity increases breathing rate, which can increase the amount of smoke inhaled. Wildfire smoke can affect anyone, although children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with heart or lung conditions may face greater risks.
When outdoor activity cannot be avoided, a properly fitted N95 or KN95 respirator provides more protection than a cloth or disposable surgical mask.
Air quality can change quickly based on wind, rain, temperature, and the movement of the smoke plume. Check AirNow or your preferred local weather service before:
The Air Quality Index ranges from Good at 0 to 50 through Hazardous at 301 or higher. At higher levels, everyone should reduce exposure, not only people who are considered sensitive.
Wildfire smoke may cause:
Move to an area with cleaner air if symptoms develop. Seek medical care for severe trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, bluish lips or face, or other serious symptoms.
Wildfire smoke is not something Pittsburgh homeowners have traditionally needed to prepare for, but recent events show that smoke can travel long distances and affect our region with little warning. Keeping windows closed, using the correct HVAC settings, replacing dirty filters, running appropriately sized HEPA air purifiers, and sealing air leaks can make a meaningful difference inside your home.
Handled Home helps homeowners throughout Moon Township, Robinson, and the greater Pittsburgh area with practical home repairs and maintenance, including door adjustments, weatherstripping, window and trim repairs, and other projects that can help make a home more comfortable and better sealed. Need help addressing drafty doors, damaged weatherstripping, window gaps, or other home maintenance concerns? Call or text 412-353-5341 or visit Contact us to schedule an evaluation.
This article provides general home-maintenance information and is not a substitute for medical advice or instructions from local health and emergency officials.