Sunday, August 9, 2026 / Lane County
Smoke hits kids differently. The useful part is what to do next
Smaller bodies, developing lungs and faster breathing make children more vulnerable when wildfire smoke returns.
Smaller lungs are doing more work. That is the blunt reason wildfire smoke can hit children harder than adults, according to PeaceHealth RiverBend pediatrician Miranda Lanning.
Children breathe faster, tend to spend more time outside and are still developing. Babies, especially those born prematurely, and children with asthma or other lung conditions face greater risk. Symptoms can include coughing, sore throat, irritated eyes, fatigue and shortness of breath.
The useful list is short: close windows and doors at home and in the car, use indoor air filtration, keep asthma medication available, check LRAPA’s air-quality updates and cut strenuous outdoor activity when conditions are unhealthy. Lanning also recommends explaining smoke calmly and in age-appropriate terms, focusing on what children and adults can control.
Field notes
What changed: A local pediatrician laid out why wildfire smoke poses extra risk to children and what caretakers can do during the next smoky period.
Why it matters: Children can take in more polluted air relative to their size, while babies and children with existing lung conditions face added risk.
Who may be affected: Parents, caregivers, schools, coaches and children, especially infants and children with asthma or other respiratory conditions.