Wildfire‑Ready Air Quality Upgrades for Phase 8

Smoky summer weeks are a fact of life in Missoula, and on those days your home should feel like a clean-air refuge. If you are considering a Phase 8 townhome or prepping one for sale, you want upgrades that truly cut indoor smoke, not just nice-to-haves. In this guide, you will find practical, science-backed steps that fit townhome living, plus local resources and simple checklists. Let’s dive in.

Why wildfire smoke matters in Missoula

Missoula sees recurring smoke events that can push fine particle pollution (PM2.5) to unhealthy levels. Local health officials issue updates and recommend indoor protection steps for residents. You can find current guidance on the Missoula Public Health wildfire and smoke page.

Wildfire smoke’s primary risk comes from PM2.5, which can reach deep into your lungs and may aggravate heart and lung conditions. Vulnerable groups include children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with cardiopulmonary disease. You can read more about health impacts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

• Local resource: Check the Missoula Public Health Wildfires & Smoke page for advisories and tips: Missoula Public Health
• Health background: Learn how PM2.5 affects your body: HHS Wildfire Health Overview

How smoke gets into townhomes

Attached townhomes have many potential leak points. Multi-level layouts, balconies, and attached garages can draw smoky air inside. Tightness varies by construction, which means some units need extra sealing to perform well.

Your HVAC setup matters too. Some homes have central forced air that can use high-efficiency filters, while others rely on ductless heat pumps or baseboard heat. If your system cannot handle a higher MERV filter, portable HEPA air cleaners become your primary tool. See practical tips from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Shared spaces also play a role. Corridors or community rooms can affect unit air if the building’s shared systems are not set to recirculate during smoke. ASHRAE’s new Guideline 44 offers specific recommendations for multi-unit residential operation and design.

• HVAC and infiltration basics: LBNL indoor air tips
• Multi-unit building guidance: ASHRAE Guideline 44 overview

Layered protection: your upgrade plan

No single step solves smoke. The best results come from layering filtration, ventilation control, and sealing, then operating your home correctly on smoke days.

Filtration first: central and portable

• If your furnace or air handler can safely accept it, upgrade to a MERV 13 filter or the highest MERV your system supports. Confirm compatibility with an HVAC pro to avoid reduced airflow. Local public health guidance supports this approach.
• Add one or more portable HEPA air cleaners. Size them using the common CADR rule: a smoke CADR at least two-thirds of the room’s square footage. Run them on higher speeds during smoke days, especially in your main bedroom and living area. LBNL’s guide explains how to choose and place units.
• For the biggest reductions, many studies show that combining a high-MERV central filter with portable HEPA units outperforms either alone.
• Avoid ionizers or ozone generators. Ozone is harmful and does not help with smoke.

Helpful sources:

• MERV and portable HEPA basics: Missoula Public Health, LBNL guidance
• Evidence on combined interventions: Peer-reviewed filtration study
• Why to avoid ozone-generating devices: Smoke and air cleaner tips

Control ventilation and seal leaks

• On smoke days, close windows and set any mechanical system to recirculate so you are not pulling smoky air inside. The EPA’s building guidance outlines these steps.
• Seal common leak points. Add weatherstripping and door sweeps, check fireplace dampers, and seal gaps around windows. If you have an attached garage, keep the garage door closed and improve the door seal to the home.

Helpful sources:

• Operating the building to limit intake: EPA wildfire and indoor air quality
• Sealing tips that boost filtration: LBNL indoor air tips

Create a clean air room

Pick a bedroom or den with fewer windows. Close and seal the door and run a portable HEPA cleaner inside. Avoid indoor activities that create particles, like frying or burning candles, while smoke is high. See step-by-step public health guidance here: APHA clean air room tips

Monitor and adjust

Track conditions, then act when air quality worsens. Use regional forecasts at Fire.AirNow.gov and local sensor networks to time your clean-air steps. EPA’s ASPIRE program explains how real-time monitoring supports better choices: EPA ASPIRE

Buyer and seller checklists for Phase 8

Smart questions and small upgrades can make a real difference for Canyon River’s Phase 8 townhomes.

Buyer questions to ask

• What type of HVAC is installed, and can the filter slot accept MERV 13? Ask for model info or an HVAC note confirming compatibility.
• Does the system have central A/C and a recirculate setting? Can the fan run continuously on smoke days without issues?
• Are there outdoor air intakes or economizers, and can they be closed during smoke alerts?
• How tight are windows and doors, and is the garage well sealed from the living space?
• Are there portable HEPA units included, and what are their CADR ratings?

Reference: LBNL indoor air tips

Seller and HOA actions that add value

• Document HVAC service dates, filter sizes, and the highest safe MERV rating. Provide the manual or a contractor note.
• Stock or recommend portable HEPA units for bedrooms and main living areas. Note CADR sizing in listing materials.
• Add simple weatherstripping and a door sweep, and seal the garage-to-home door.
• For shared systems, adopt a smoke-ready protocol: switch to recirculate, use higher-efficiency filters, and consider a community clean room per ASHRAE guidance.

Resource: ASHRAE Guideline 44 overview

Long-term investments for Phase 8

If you are building new or planning a deeper retrofit, aim for features that make smoke readiness simple and automatic.

• Specify filter housings that accept MERV 13 and controls that can quickly switch outdoor air off during smoke events.
• Set blower door and duct leakage targets to keep infiltration low and filtration effective.
• Consider a dedicated whole-home filtration box only if the system is designed to handle it. Many single-family systems require careful sizing.
• For multi-unit buildings and shared spaces, follow ASHRAE’s guidance on clean rooms and smoke-ready operation.

Community planning note: Missoula County has received federal support for community wildfire defense planning, which signals ongoing outreach and readiness efforts that can benefit new phases. See funded proposals: USFS Community Wildfire Defense Grants

Operation and maintenance on smoke days

• Run the central fan continuously if your system allows it, so indoor air passes through the filter repeatedly. Be ready to change filters more often during smoke season. See EPA’s operations guidance.
• Run portable HEPA units on higher speeds in rooms you use most. Clean and replace filters on schedule.
• Avoid indoor smoke sources like wood burning, candles, and high-heat frying while outdoor smoke is elevated.

Helpful sources:

• Building operation during smoke: EPA wildfire and indoor air quality
• Behavior tips that help filtration work: APHA smoke-readiness guide

Local resources

• Missoula Public Health smoke guidance and updates: Missoula Public Health
• How to choose HEPA units and DIY options in Montana: Montana Wildfire Smoke
• Research and tools for real-time decisions: EPA ASPIRE

Ready to plan a Phase 8 townhome that stays comfortable when the smoke rolls in? Let’s design your clean-air strategy alongside your floor plan. Connect with Stephanie Nelson to talk through options, preferred builders, and practical upgrades that fit your lifestyle at Canyon River.

FAQs

What is the single most effective first step for smoke?

• A correctly sized portable HEPA air cleaner for your main bedroom and living area delivers the fastest, most reliable improvement.

Can my furnace use a MERV 13 filter safely?

• It depends on your model and blower; ask for the manufacturer specs or a contractor note to confirm the highest safe MERV before upgrading.

How do I size a portable air cleaner for my room?

• Use the CADR rule of thumb: choose a smoke CADR at least two-thirds of the room’s square footage for meaningful reductions.

Should I close windows and outside air during smoke days?

• Yes, close windows and set systems to recirculate to limit smoky outdoor air coming inside, then rely on filtration.

What is a clean air room and why make one?

• It is a room you seal and filter with a HEPA unit so you have a dependable place to breathe easier during high smoke periods.

What can an HOA do for townhome residents during smoke?

• Adopt a smoke-ready plan that shifts shared systems to recirculate, upgrades filters, and designates a clean community room per ASHRAE guidance.