A May checklist for California patients reviewing asthma prescription refills, quick-relief medication, dose counters, medication lists and Asthma Action Plans before wildfire smoke affects local air quality.
Wildfire-smoke preparation is easier before the air becomes smoky. For people with asthma, May is a practical time to check refill status, make sure prescribed quick-relief medication is current and accessible, and keep the Asthma Action Plan with the rest of the medication information.
CDPH says wildfire smoke can worsen asthma and advises people with asthma or another lung disease to keep at least a seven-day supply of medication on hand. The pharmacy can help with refill status, labels and claim information, while the healthcare provider should direct the Asthma Action Plan and any treatment changes.
Quick Answer
Before wildfire smoke affects your area, review each asthma prescription and confirm that you have enough medication available for at least several days. CDPH advises people with asthma or another lung disease to keep at least a seven-day supply on hand. Check the expiration date and dose counter on prescribed inhalers when present, keep quick-relief medication accessible, and follow the Asthma Action Plan created with your healthcare provider. If smoke worsens breathing or symptoms do not improve as directed in your plan, contact a healthcare provider; call 911 for a medical emergency.
Why Prepare Asthma Prescriptions Before Wildfire Smoke Arrives
Wildfire smoke contains fine particles and gases that can irritate the respiratory system. CDPH says exposure can worsen cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing and asthma symptoms.
People with asthma, COPD and other chronic lung conditions are at higher risk from smoke. Preparing prescriptions early can also reduce the need to leave cleaner indoor air for a routine refill.
Wildfires can also trigger evacuation orders. CDPH includes prescriptions among the items Californians should be ready to take when leaving quickly.
01
Check Medication Access
- Remaining prescription refills.
- Amount of medication currently on hand.
- Current insurance information and next eligible refill timing.
02
Check the Care Plan
- Current Asthma Action Plan.
- Healthcare provider contact information.
- Instructions for worsening symptoms and emergency warning signs.
Check Asthma Prescription Refills Before They Become Urgent
Check Prescribed Quick-Relief Medication Before Smoke Season
Respiratory Prescription Support
Need to review refill status before wildfire smoke season?
La Quinta Pharmacy can check appropriate prescription information, refill status, labels and insurance claim messages and identify when a prescriber or health plan needs to act.
Keep the Asthma Action Plan Current and Easy to Find
CDC’s May 2026 guidance says everyone with asthma needs an individual Asthma Action Plan developed with a healthcare provider. It explains what to do when asthma is controlled, worsening or requires emergency care.
Review the plan before wildfire season if it is old, hard to find or no longer matches current prescriptions. Do not change doses or add extra inhaler use on your own because smoke is forecast.
Keep a copy with the medication list and emergency contacts. Parents and caregivers should also know where a child’s plan and prescribed medicines are kept.
Watch Air Quality and Reduce Smoke Exposure
CDPH advises Californians to monitor local air quality through AirNow. When air quality is poor, reduce outdoor activity and stay in cleaner indoor air when possible.
Medication readiness does not replace reducing smoke exposure, and staying indoors does not replace following the Asthma Action Plan.
If local officials order an evacuation, leave promptly and bring prescriptions, medication information and the Asthma Action Plan.
A May Wildfire-Smoke Prescription Checklist for People With Asthma
Use this list before smoky conditions or an evacuation warning makes prescription access harder.
- Count medication on hand. Compare the available supply with CDPH’s advice to keep at least seven days of medication.
- Check remaining refills. Contact the pharmacy before the prescription is close to running out.
- Review quick-relief medication. Check the labeled expiration date and dose counter when the device has one.
- Keep prescribed medicine accessible. Do not leave an essential inhaler buried in a car, storage box or evacuation bag you cannot reach.
- Keep the Asthma Action Plan nearby. Use the healthcare provider’s written instructions instead of inventing a smoke-day dosing plan.
- Save pharmacy and prescriber numbers. Know who to call for refill information and who handles clinical treatment decisions.
- Monitor local air quality. Use AirNow and follow California public-health guidance about reducing smoke exposure.
- Add prescriptions to evacuation planning. Take medicines, medication information and needed devices if local officials tell you to leave.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider or Seek Emergency Care
CDPH advises contacting a healthcare provider if wildfire smoke worsens breathing. CDC likewise says to follow the Asthma Action Plan and seek care when breathing trouble or other symptoms do not go away.
Use the emergency instructions in the Asthma Action Plan. CDC identifies severe breathing difficulty and other danger signs as reasons for urgent emergency care.
Call 911 for a medical emergency. Do not wait for a pharmacy callback when someone has severe difficulty breathing or the action plan directs emergency care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much asthma medication should I keep on hand for wildfire smoke?
CDPH advises people with asthma or another lung disease to keep at least a seven-day supply of medication on hand.
Should I change how I use my asthma medicine when smoke is in the air?
Do not change prescribed dosing on your own. Follow the Asthma Action Plan and contact the healthcare provider if it needs to be updated.
How do I know whether my rescue inhaler still has medication available?
Check the labeled expiration date and the device’s dose counter when one is present. Ask the pharmacy if you are unsure how to read it.
Can La Quinta Pharmacy renew an asthma prescription with no refills?
The pharmacy can review refill status, but a new prescription or clinical authorization must come from the prescriber when another fill is not authorized.
Where can I check wildfire-smoke air quality in California?
CDPH directs Californians to AirNow for local Air Quality Index information and recommends following public-health and emergency guidance.
When should breathing problems during wildfire smoke be treated as an emergency?
Follow the emergency section of the Asthma Action Plan. Call 911 for severe breathing difficulty or another medical emergency.
Check the Prescription Supply Before the Air Turns Smoky
Wildfire-smoke readiness starts before symptoms or evacuation warnings. Review refill status, keep prescribed quick-relief medication current and accessible, know where the Asthma Action Plan is, monitor air quality and contact the healthcare provider if smoke worsens breathing.
For official guidance, review CDPH’s wildfire-smoke health guidance, CDPH’s Smoke & Ash Safety, and CDC’s Asthma Action Plan guidance.
This article provides general medication-preparedness information and does not replace an individual Asthma Action Plan, diagnosis or treatment advice. Contact a healthcare provider for asthma treatment decisions and call 911 for a medical emergency.
Need to Check an Asthma Prescription Before Smoke Season?
Contact La Quinta Pharmacy with non-urgent questions about refill status, prescription labels, dose counters or pharmacy insurance information.