Ways I Enjoy Backyard Fires as a Person with Asthma

By John Bottrell, RRT

3 min read

Content Disclaimer: The following article is the account of one Asthma.net patient leader's personal experience and includes the tips he follows to participate as safely as possible in this activity as a person with asthma. This article is not intended to offer medical advice to individuals living with asthma. Please consult with your doctor or specialist before making any lifestyle or treatment decisions that may impact your asthma and/or other conditions.

As the warm embrace of summer settles in, it is time for delightful evenings filled with laughter and joy around cozy fire-pit fires with family and friends. I did this last night with my kids, and we did this despite the fact that we all have asthma. Here, I share some ways I enjoy fire nights to the fullest while keeping my asthma symptoms at bay.

Ways I enjoy time around the backyard fire with asthma

If possible, I choose non-windy days

Whenever the wind decides to pick up, it seems like the smoke has a way of finding its path directly toward the person with asthma. So it is best to choose a day when there is little to no wind.

Choose asthma-friendly bonfire fuel

Live or green wood tends to cause a lot of smoke. This is also true of poplar trees, which are prevalent where I live. Poplar is a lighter wood and tends to burn off quickly while producing lots of smoke. You are better off going with hardwoods like oak or cherry, which produce less smoke compared to damp or green woods. Avoid using treated or painted wood, as they can release harmful chemicals when burned. I also avoid tossing leaves on the fire, as these too are known for causing lots of smoke.

Avoid the smoke as best you can

Sometimes we will simply have to deal with wind. When this occurs, I try to position myself upwind from the fire to minimize smoke inhalation. Another idea is to keep a safe distance from the fire. This can help reduce direct smoke exposure.

Have an escape plan

If you are at your own house this is less important. But if you are going to a family or friend’s house to enjoy a fire, make sure you have an escape plan. When I go to my parent’s house, for instance, they are well aware of my asthma. So, they completely understand if I leave the fire and go inside. I have also gone with my friends to the homes of people I do not know to enjoy a fire, and here I just make sure I have a way to get home if my asthma acts up.

Do not forget your asthma action plan

Make sure you have your asthma action plan with you. Having a plan in place will ensure that you know what to do in case your asthma misbehaves. For me, this involves making sure I have my rescue inhaler. If I am home I also have access to my nebulizer. However, if I am going to my dad’s cabin for a bonfire, I make sure to bring along my portable nebulizer just in case I need it.

Raise asthma awareness around you

Usually, I have a fire in my own backyard, so I am in control of who is sitting around it. But sometimes I go to other people’s homes and have less control. And even though most of the people I hang out with know I have asthma, I still find it necessary to remind them from time to time. This is especially important if there are people who enjoy doing things like throwing leaves on the fire or tossing on things like treated wood.

Are you able to enjoy fires or bonfires?

I know that many in this community are unable to enjoy fires. Thankfully I am able to do this, as I truly enjoy sitting around a cozy fire. What about you? Are you able to enjoy fires despite your asthma? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Asthma.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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shellzoo Member
I usually try not to sit in the line of the smoke and will move my seat however I need to as much as I need to. There are new smokeless fire pits you can buy. They are not cheap but if you enjoy a bonfire, they would work better if you have asthma. I think Solo makes them. Usually I can enjoy a good campfire or bonfire but too much smoke and I will be miserable for a while. 
1. DKatz Member
 Is Solo Stove or a similar company sponsoring this? Serious question. That page you linked to is populated with affiliate links that earn Forbes revenue from companies selling fire pits. It’s not personally what I would consider credible information on the health impact of these products. I take it you didn’t read what the air quality expert said? “His brief demonstration proved what health officials have been warning: that backyard fire might feel cozy on a cool spring night. But even fire pits marketed ‘efficient’ or ‘smokeless’ are not harmless. ‘Most of us probably don’t imagine that one fire could be a problem, but to a vulnerable neighbor it really could. So even if that fire brings some people closer together, chances are someone lives nearby who is going to suffer the consequences.’” Asthma organizations should be increasing awareness of the false marketing claims of these fire pit manufacturers. The most hazardous components of wood smoke aren’t visible to the naked eye. Less visible smoke only means they are almost certainly emitting even more of the smallest, most harmful ultrafine particles. In research studies where these things were actually properly measured, rocket stoves and certified wood stoves have been found to emit even more ultrafine particles than open fires or older technology stoves. The particles don’t go away. They just get smaller and go deeper into your (and your neighbors’) lungs and into everyone’s bloodstreams.
2. alexavecchione Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="DKatz" user-id="8655104"/> - I wanted to jump in and say that <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>Asthma.net</a> is not in any way affiliated with Solo Stove or any similar companies. This article is not sponsored - it is simply written by one of our patient leaders about his own personal experience. I completely understand your concerns and appreciate you weighing in! Best, Alexa (Asthma.net moderator)
DKatz Member
A single fire pit emits per minute the fine particle pollution equivalent of roughly 800 cigarettes. Who in their right mind would recommend this for anyone with asthma or their neighbors? There is no way to burn wood that isn’t harmful. This article is deeply inappropriate and irresponsible to post on an asthma-related website.
FedUpWithBadAir Member
I'm disappointed to see so much misinformation in this article. Wood smoke is a known asthma trigger and powerful air polluter and climate forcer. In fact, just a single hour of wood burning emits the same amount of pollution as 6,000 packs of cigarettes, plus burning wood is 35-50% worse for the climate than coal and 230% worse than gas. An asthma-related website should be condemning and warning against burning wood, not promoting and/or trying to downplay it.
John Bottrell, RRT Moderator & Contributor
Hi. <inline-mention username="FedUpWithBadAir" user-id="8655200"/> Thank you for sharing your thoughts here. That's what we are all about—listening to different perspectives on topics like this, in this case backyard fires. You bring up a valid concern about the impact of wood smoke on asthma and the environment, and I appreciate your perspective. It is true that wood smoke, much like cigarette smoke, contains harmful chemicals that can exacerbate asthma symptoms and have adverse effects on air quality and climate. Your concern for both the health of asthmatics and the environment is commendable, and I understand your desire to raise awareness about these issues. That said, we have a diverse group of asthmatics here in this community, and some (much like myself) enjoy sitting around a fire with loved ones and friends and enjoying activities like cooking hot dogs and making s'mores. Many of us find this an important part of our quality of life. My goal by writing this post is not to promote or downplay the hazards of wood smoke, but to provide tips for those who wish to enjoy this outdoor activity -- something that non-asthmatics can do without much concern about it making them short of breath. Wishing you all the best. John. community moderator 
1. BarbaraP Member
 John, your words, “It is true that wood smoke, much like cigarette smoke, contains harmful chemicals that can exacerbate asthma symptoms and have adverse effects on air quality and climate.” It’s bad enough to encourage those who may or may not realize they're harming themselves, but how do you justify the harm to others? Wherever you are on this planet, we all share the same air and we’re all at risk from damage to our climate. We all share the price of public health. How do you live with it? Is the hot dog and s’more really that important?
Susan Goldsborough Member
Let’s see - how many family members and friends would end up in the hospital if they sat around a fire pit or bon fire? Grandson asthma Husband heart disease Myself Afib Friend Ken bleeding sinuses Sister lupus with lung involvement Neighbor with brain tumor Neighbor with COPD Friend with interstitial lung disease Friend with chronic debilitating bronchial disorder And a few who have already died from lung cancer So much is wrong with this article.
1. DKatz Member
 Thank you, Lauren. 
2. lauren.mullin Moderator
 <inline-mention username="DKatz" user-id="8655104"/> Anytime! Please know that we are here for you always. -Lauren (team member)
clean air zemst Member
is this a parody article?
Rebecca C Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="John Bottrell, RRT" user-id="3021172"/> - thanks for the article. I truly hope you enjoyed your evening out back with your family. There are some good tips for those who are very sensitive to firepit smoke and keeping safe. It is my choice as someone with asthma to decide to sit around a fire during these get-togethers, but I do keep my action plan close at hand and definitely have an exit plan should my asthma exacerbate beyond my control. I usually only do this once or twice a year as I am very reactive to fire smoke. I truly miss the connections and friendships that develop while having a conversation around a warm campfire. Wishing you well. Rebecca (community moderator) 
1. alexavecchione Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="DKatz" user-id="8655104"/> I hear you, and am so sorry to hear what you and your husband experienced. You make a really great point in your last paragraph about caring about others in the community, and I hope this conversation can be a learning experience for us all. That's what our community is all about - sharing what works and what doesn't for each of us and finding new ways to adjust and cope with life with asthma. Thank you for being so open! All the best, Alexa (Asthma.net moderator)
2. DKatz Member
 Thanks, Alexa.
BarbaraP Member
In 2013, the largest Air Quality Management District in the world (SCAQMD) measured particulate emissions from outdoor wood burning fire pits. They found the PM 2.5 emission rate from one fire ring to be equivalent to the secondhand smoke from 800 cigarettes, noting the same toxic compounds are found in both wood smoke and cigarette smoke – Multiple PAHs, including Benzo(a)pyrene, Benzene, Formaldehyde, Ultrafine Particles, PM2.5. Borrowing a few words from the author of this commentary, you might as well publish, "Ways I Enjoy Tobacco as a Person With Asthma" with tips on how to enjoy cigarettes to the fullest while keeping asthma symptoms at bay. Subtitles could include, "If possible inhale less deeply" & "choose asthma-friendly cigarettes." You can read more about it on the SCAQMD’s website found here: http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/air-quality/special-monitoring-and-emissions-studies/beach-fire-monitoring/july-12-2013-staff-presentation.pdf 
1. BarbaraP Member
 Alexa, I appreciate your effort to make it seem like John is merely interested in sharing (in his words) “different perspectives on topics like this.” If that’s really the case, why a handy list of how-to tips? It’s apparent the very purpose of providing such advice is to encourage others. Why pretend when words like “delightful evenings filled with laughter and joy around cozy fire-pit fires with family and friends” are so clearly intended to persuade? This is not a “sharing what works and what doesn't for each of us” issue. What SCAQMD learned is not in support of multiple perspectives; it is a fact backed by evidence that wood burning, even from a single fire pit, is harmful to human health and harmful to the environment. 
2. alexavecchione Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="BarbaraP" user-id="8655613"/> - I hear you and completely understand your concerns with the way the article is written. I wanted to let you know that we added a content disclaimer to the top of the article to let readers know this is an account of one person's experience and is not intended to offer medical or lifestyle advice. We are always open to feedback from our community to help us offer multiple perspectives from those living with asthma while also keeping our community safe. Thank you so much for your input! All the best, Alexa (Asthma.net moderator)
shellzoo Member
 <inline-mention username="John Bottrell, RRT" user-id="3021172"/> I actually appreciated this article. As someone who enjoys camping and trips Up North, I am around lots of campfires which, I might add are perfectly legal and plentiful in those campgrounds. Knowing there are ways to avoid direct exposure to smoke and having an escape plan is very helpful. I noticed The American Lung Association and The Cleveland Clinic have similar articles. I think your article also stresses avoidance as an option. I live in the country so most of my neighbors burn stuff at different times during the year and one set of neighbors have weekly bonfires with their friends. They have all been really nice about telling me ahead of time and they do their fires further back on their property so that neighbors are not affected. I know enough not to stand in the direct line of smoke but realize there will be campfires, fireplaces, bonfires, trash barrels burning and leaves burning. I keep an air purifier in my home, run the a/c in the summer and have a good mask for the worst days. I do advise those who are concerned about pollution and the direct effect of smoke on neighborhoods to contact their state and local representatives. There are communities that have burning restrictions and bans. As I live in an area with lots of space between homes, we do not have restrictions. I also have a fireplace at home but I keep an electric fireplace in front of it and use that during cold weather.