Question

what can you do to minimize risk of breathing in poor quality air cuased by forest fires?

Answer 1

Steps to Minimize Harmful Health Effects during forest fire.
Stay indoors to minimize smoke exposure. Close all windows, doors, and any other openings. Put your air-conditioner on re-circulate if possible and avoid activities that may add to indoor air contamination, such as cooking with a gas stove. High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters or other room air filtration systems that do not generate ozone are recommended.
When in a car, keep windows and vents closed. Turn the air-conditioning to re-circulate.
Do NOT rely on masks to filter contaminants, since masks do not work when not fitted correctly. Smaller sized masks may appear to fit a child's face, but no manufacturers recommend their use for children. Humidifiers or breathing through a wet washcloth do not prevent breathing in smoke.
Outdoor activity should be minimized, and athletic and physical education stopped until air quality improves.
Evacuate the area if recommended by authorities. Be sure to bring immunization records, all medication and other disaster supplies with you.
Children with chronic respiratory problems, such as asthma, are at increased risk. Children at increased risk should remain in a clean-air environment and be kept indoors until air quality improves. They should be monitored closely for signs or symptoms of harmful health effects as listed above. If they are showing these symptoms and their usual medications cannot bring them under control, they should be taken to a nearby medical facility, despite the risks of traveling.

After a Forest fire :
The aftermath of a wildfire also poses dangers for children.
Take these steps to ensure your child's safety following a wildfire:
If you evacuated your home or area, before returning you should:
Wait to be directed by authorities that it is safe to return.
Know the location of the nearest medical facility
Be sure water supply, electricity, and phone lines are restored

Block off unsafe or unclean areas to keep children out
Arrange for removal of ash and debris by professionals or adults
Check with your water provider to make sure that your water is okay to drink. If the water provider indicates that the water may have bacterial contamination, you should heat it to a rolling boil for 1 minute to kill potentially harmful bacteria and other microscopic organisms before drinking.
Loss of power to refrigerators and freezers can cause food to spoil. If the food has been warmed to room temperature for more than 2 hours, throw it out and do not eat it.
Keep your child away from physical hazards. Potential physical hazards include:
Debris such as broken glass, wires, nails, wood, metal, plastics, and other objects
Ash pits, which are holes full of hot ashes created by burned trees and stumps
etc.