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Wildfire smoke is making it hard to breathe

Use when wildfire smoke fills the air and someone has trouble breathing, has asthma or lung or heart problems, is older, pregnant, a child, or is living outside.

In danger right now: call 911. Crisis or thoughts of suicide: call or text 988. Not sure where to start? Call the Silver City Gospel Mission: 575-388-5071. Police, fire or sheriff, not an emergency: 575-388-8840 (Central Dispatch). Print our list of phone numbers → · Food pantry calendar → · Free meals calendar → · Getting there: bus and rides →
These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
In this guide
  1. Get help fast if breathing is hard
  2. Breathe less smoke
  3. If you live outside
  4. Know what's happening

1Get help fast if breathing is hard

Call 911 for chest pain, very hard breathing, lips turning blue, or confusion.
911 (Grant County Regional Dispatch)
Emergency: police, fire, ambulance
911
Silver City · 24/7
Use their inhaler or breathing medicine as the doctor told them.
Hidalgo Medical Servicesnot yet confirmed: call first
Call4Health: After-hours nurse advice line
855-742-3400
· After hours
Website ↗

2Breathe less smoke

Stay indoors with the windows and doors shut. Don't burn candles or smoke inside.
Rest. Don't run or work hard outdoors when the air is smoky.
Only an N95 or KN95 mask helps with smoke, and it must fit tight. Cloth masks and bandanas don't stop smoke.
Children, older people, pregnant women and people with asthma, lung or heart problems should be extra careful.

3If you live outside

You can ask"Can you get indoors today?"
At the Gospel MissionCome inside the Mission at 111 S. Texas St. during open hours (weekdays, breakfast 8:30-9:30, lunch 12-1).
Spend time inside open public buildings, like the library, stores or churches, while the smoke is heavy.

4Know what's happening

NM Fire Info (interagency)
Wildfire updates, fire restrictions and closures
· Online 24/7
Website ↗
Grant County - TextMyGov alerts
Free text-message emergency alerts for Grant County
575-574-4607
Silver City · 24/7
Website ↗
If they are told to leave their home, use the guide "Has to leave home now because of a wildfire or flood".

More help like this

No heat, or it's dangerously cold or hotUse when someone has no heat at home, is outside in freezing weather or extreme heat, or can't pay for heating.Lost their home or belongings in a fire, flood or disasterUse after a house fire, flood, storm or evacuation when someone has lost their home, clothes or papers.Stuck outside in freezing cold or snow (hypothermia or frostbite)Use when someone is outside or stranded in freezing weather or a snowstorm, is shivering hard, confused or very sleepy from cold, or has numb, white or gray skin.Someone is sleeping outside in dangerous cold or heatUse when you see someone sleeping or staying outside during freezing nights, snow, or extreme heat, and you are worried they may get sick or die.A fire is burning in a home, building or camp right nowUse when a fire has started in a home, apartment, building, car, tent or camp and people need to get out and stay safe.Smells gas, or a carbon monoxide alarm is going offUse when someone smells gas (rotten eggs), hears hissing from a gas line, or a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, or people feel sick from a heater, stove or generator.

See all guides in Emergency and first aid →

This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer

Know a better way? Is something out of date?

If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.

📞 We need volunteers to keep this guide up to date. You can help from home, an hour a week. See how →
Print these steps · Find more places to get help · Hours and numbers change; please call ahead. Something wrong? Tell us
Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, 575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.