Forest fire fighters can be continuously exposed to smoke for long periods. They generally do not wear respiratory protection and essentially rely on their visual evaluation of the intensity of the smoke and their judgement in order to avoid situations that could require such protection.

A new study published by Occupational Health and Safety Research Institute (IRSST) collected data on the nature and duration of the exposure to contaminants that may pose risks to their health. The report documents the respiratory protection equipment that can be effective and usable under the specific conditions in which these workers perform their job, namely travelling on foot on isolated, difficult and dangerous ground.

The recommendations resulting from this project will allow the industry's professionals to determine the respiratory protection to be used by forest fire fighters in relation to different fire fighting scenarios.