Protecting Critical Facilities From Wildfire Smoke

Wildfires are no longer a seasonal or regional threat. Once thought to primarily affect the western United States, wildfire smoke is now impacting facilities across the country, often in places hundreds of miles from the nearest flames. In 2024 alone, the U.S. saw nearly 65,000 fires scorch close to 9 million acres—surpassing the 10-year average by 127%. And with shifting climate patterns and persistent droughts, this trend is expected to continue.

Across industries and geographies, facility teams are now facing a new normal—one where the effects of wildfire smoke are not only more frequent and far-reaching but also more costly to ignore. In wildfire-prone states, 69% of commercial property stakeholders identify smoke and fire damage as a top business risk, followed by structural damage and damaged electrical systems.

For facilities professionals, the implications go beyond occupant health. Smoke infiltration threatens HVAC system performance, sensitive equipment, regulatory compliance, and operating budgets. As wildfire season becomes a year-round concern, the ability to anticipate and mitigate its impact is fast becoming a core function of cost-conscious building management.

Wildfire Smoke Is a National Problem—With Local Consequences

The geographic spread means even buildings hundreds of miles away from an active fire can experience indoor air contamination from drifting smoke plumes, prompting facility managers to rethink what it takes to maintain a safe, compliant, and efficient environment.

Unlike other pollutants, wildfire smoke contains a unique blend of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and nitrogen oxides (NOx)—all of which are capable of penetrating standard commercial HVAC systems. Once inside, these pollutants don’t just pose a health risk; they can compromise electronics, degrade air handling components, and increase overall system strain.

The Hidden Costs Of Smoke Exposure In Facilities

Facility managers are trained to think in terms of total cost of ownership, yet many are unaware of how quickly wildfire smoke can drive up expenses:

• Maintenance Costs: Filters clogged by high smoke loads degrade faster and push HVAC systems to work harder, leading to elevated energy bills and more frequent equipment servicing.
• Productivity Losses: Poor air quality has been shown to reduce cognitive performance and increase absenteeism among occupants, especially in office, healthcare, and educational settings.
• Downtime & Compliance Risk: In controlled environments like data centers or pharmaceutical labs, even temporary lapses in air quality can trigger operational shutdowns or failed inspections.

Studies have estimated the total annual economic cost of wildfires in the U.S. to be between $394 billion and $893 billion when factoring in health, labor, and infrastructure impacts. The costs are harder to measure for individual buildings—but no less real.

Why Most HVAC Systems Fall Short

Most commercial HVAC systems were designed to handle urban pollution, not the concentrated chemical complexity of wildfire smoke. Filters rated below MERV 13 can’t capture the ultra-fine PM2.5 particles that pose serious health risks. Even HEPA filters, while effective against particles, do little to capture gaseous pollutants like VOCs and NOx.

That often includes upgrading to HEPA-level or custom-engineered filters, as well as integrating activated carbon technology, which targets gaseous contaminants like VOCs and NOx. Activated carbon works through adsorption, not absorption—many of these harmful VOCs condense onto the surface of carbon and are captured in the internal micropores within its structure. It’s one of the most effective methods for capturing the invisible threats of wildfire smoke.

This mismatch between filtration technology and pollutant type is why facility teams need to take a layered approach to smoke resilience.

A Layered And Proactive Approach

Rather than relying on reactive maintenance or seasonal upgrades, leading facilities are incorporating the following best practices into their year-round operations strategy:

1. Audit and Assess: Conduct a building-wide air quality and filtration audit. Understand what your current HVAC system can (and can’t) handle during smoke events.
2. Install Higher-Efficiency Filters: To effectively capture PM2.5, install filters rated MERV 13 or above to effectively trap PM2.5 where appropriate. Use pre-filters to extend their lifespan.
3. Incorporate Gas-Phase Filtration: Activated carbon filters capture VOCs and odors that particle filters miss.
4. Install Air Quality Monitoring Systems: Invest in indoor and outdoor air quality sensors to track PM2.5, CO₂, and VOC levels in real-time. Use this data to guide system responses.
5. Implement a Filter Management Plan: Schedule regular filter inspections and replacements, especially during high-risk months. Filters overloaded with smoke can themselves become sources of indoor pollution.
6. Train Staff and Communicate Clearly: Ensure building operations teams understand smoke-readiness protocols and that occupants are kept informed during air quality events.

Building Resilience In A Smokier Future

As climate patterns shift and fire seasons grow longer, the question is no longer if a facility will experience wildfire smoke—but when. For building owners and operators, the ability to adapt to this emerging risk is fast becoming a marker of operational excellence.

For commercial properties and facilities, maintaining indoor air quality within WHO-recommended levels necessitates significant investments in air filtration systems, building insulation, and other mitigation measures. These upgrades are essential to protect occupants’ health and ensure business continuity during wildfire events. The substantial costs associated with these improvements underscore the importance of proactive planning and investment in resilient infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of wildfire smoke on commercial operations.

Proactively addressing smoke infiltration isn’t just a matter of environmental responsibility—it’s a smart investment in protecting assets, reducing downtime, and avoiding unplanned costs. The buildings that weather tomorrow’s air quality challenges will be the ones that start planning today.

By Shawn Gilstorf

Gilstorf is President of D-Mark, a Rensa Filtration company specializing in molecular filtration solutions and manufacturing for commercial and industrial facilities. He has over 20 years of experience in HVAC and indoor air quality systems.

Read more about Air Quality on Facility Executive.