California tech reporter shares how to make a DIY air filter to combat smoke from Canadian wildfires

A California tech reporter has demonstrated how to make an inexpensive air filter using a box fan as thick smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets the East Coast. 

Jacob Ward, an NBC News correspondent and author based in San Francisco, took to TikTok on Wednesday to share his hack for combatting poor air quality as health experts warn millions of people to remain indoors to avoid exposure. 

‘New York friends, here’s how we deal with bad, smoky air in California. You do not need an expensive air filter,’ he explained. ‘What you need is this: your box fan.’

Ward assumed that many viewers had box fans at home and encouraged them to grab them out of storage. He then took his fan and turned it around so that the cord was facing him. 

Thick smoke from the Canadian wildfires has blanketed much of the East Coast, including New York City (pictured Wednesday), triggering air quality alerts 

‘You strap to it one of these, he said, holding up a furnace filter.

The journalist noted that the filters can be bought at most neighborhood hardware stores for those who don’t have one lying around. 

To put them together, you simply puncture a hole in the center of the filter and pull the fan’s cord through. 

You then secure the filter to the back of the fan using either twine, tape, or large rubber bands. Ward opted for box fan filter grips that he bought on Amazon. 

‘You keep all your windows closed in your house, and you blow this thing so that all the air in your apartment periodically pulled through here,’ he advised. ‘Eventually, this filter will turn gray and then black.’

Ware explained that the DIY air filter doesn’t cost much to make, and he keeps a stack of furnace filters in his basement to pull out whenever there is wildfire smoke.  

‘You’ll be fine. You won’t even have to replace this for a week or more, and by that time, your air will be fine. So, you’re gonna be okay, he assured viewers. 

‘Smoky air? A box fan, a furnace filter, and some twine is all you need. Love, California,’ he added in the caption. 

The tech reporter explained that all you have to do is secure a furnace filter to the back of a box fan using either twine, tape, or large rubber bands 

‘You keep all your windows closed in your house, and you blow this thing so that all the air in your apartment periodically pulled through here,’ he advised

Ward’s video has gone viral and hundreds of people have flocked to the comments section to thank him for the helpful tip 

Ward’s video has been viewed more than 460,000 times in less than 24 hours, and hundreds of commenters thanked him for the tip.

‘This is literally the most reassuring thing I’ve seen in days. Thank you West Coast! NY, we gotta send him a pie,’ one person responded. 

‘Yes! Research shows this is literally as good as fancy air filtration systems – I just duct tape the filter to the back,’ someone else added. 

‘This really works,’ another shared. ‘I used blue painters tape to attach mine.’

However, one TikTok user couldn’t resist pointing out that most New Yorkers don’t have a ‘storage unit in the basement.’ 

‘As a former New Yorker I regretted it the moment I said it, but I have a policy of only recording once, no edits,’ Ward responded. 

New York City has become one of the worst polluted cities in the world due to the smoke, which is the result of over 400 untamed wildfires burning over the Canadian border.

The smoke is made up of dangerous nanoparticles small enough to penetrate into the bloodstream, and people have reported side effects including irritation to the eyes and throat and breathing problems.

A map of the impact the wildfire smoke has had upon air quality levels across the East Coast. Purple sections are deemed ‘hazardous,’ red is ‘unhealthy,’ orange is ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups,’ and yellow is ‘moderate’ 

The level of air pollution has caused some Americans to breathe air equivalent to a pack of cigarettes. Figures saw 64 AQI points equal one cigarette, correct as of Thursday morning 

A jogger braved the poor air quality in New York on Thursday morning as health experts warned people to remain indoors to avoid smoke exposure

A study from Berkeley University found that increased air pollution levels can be catastrophic, with some Northeast residents currently breathing air that is equivalent to smoking an entire pack of cigarettes throughout the day.

After first descending on New York City on Wednesday morning, the smoke continued spreading through the evening across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

Meteorologists are forecasting that the smoke, which has touched at least 16 states, could be set to last into the weekend in some places. 

Speaking during a state visit from UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, President Joe Biden said he is sending over 600 firefighters and personnel to Canada to help battle the wildfires.

‘Yesterday I spoke with Prime Minister Trudeau and offered any additional help Canada needs to rapidly accelerate the effort to put out these fires, particularly those in Quebec, where the fires are having the most direct impacts on American communities,’ he said in a statement.

‘I have directed the National Interagency Fire Center to respond promptly to Canadian requests for additional firefighters and fire suppression assets such as air tankers.

‘I’ve asked Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg to keep me informed about his progress in ensuring that we proactively manage the air traffic implications of the deteriorated air quality based on lessons learned from prior incidents.

‘Stay safe and follow the guidance of your local officials.’