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As 130 Active Florida Wildfires Push Smoke Across the State, Greenfox Air Quality Issues Indoor Air Quality Guidance for Palm Beach County Homeowners

News Provided by ACCESS Newswire2026-05-04

Local NADCA-certified air quality company outlines what families, seniors, and asthma sufferers in West Palm Beach should do right now to protect their indoor air as wildfire season intensifies

WEST PALM BEACH, FL / ACCESS Newswire / May 4, 2026 /With the Florida Forest Service tracking 130 active wildfires statewide, more than 1,700 wildfires responded to so far in 2026, and Jacksonville already recording unhealthy air quality readings last month, Greenfox Air - a locally owned, NADCA-certified indoor air quality company serving West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County - is urging South Florida homeowners not to wait until smoke reaches their neighborhood to think about indoor air quality.

The company is releasing five immediate, no-cost steps Palm Beach County residents can take this week to protect their families, along with guidance on when professional duct inspection or sanitizing is warranted.

"When people think about wildfires, they picture flames. They don 't picture what 's happening inside their lungs - or inside their HVAC system, " said Brett Brunsvold, President of Greenfox Air. "Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter known as PM2.5 that can slip through standard air filters, settle inside ductwork, and recirculate through your home long after the smoke event has passed. In Palm Beach County, where AC systems run nearly twelve months a year, that residue keeps cycling unless someone removes it. "

Five Things Palm Beach County Homeowners Can Do This Week

Greenfox Air 's NADCA-certified technicians recommend the following actions for households in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Shores, and surrounding communities:

Check the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map daily.Real-time AQI readings for Palm Beach County are publicly available at airnow.gov. Households with members who have asthma, COPD, or heart conditions should pay particular attention when readings move into the orange or red zones.
Upgrade your HVAC filter to MERV 13 - but only if your system supports it.A higher-rated filter captures finer particles, including much of the PM2.5 in wildfire smoke. However, installing a filter your system cannot pull air through can damage the blower motor. A quick check by a certified technician confirms compatibility.
Run your AC on the "circulate " or "fan on " setting during smoke events.This forces indoor air through your filter more often, but only works if the filter is fresh and the ductwork is clean. A clogged duct system actually concentrates contaminants rather than removing them.
Inspect for visible duct contamination.If you can see dust, debris, or discoloration around vents and registers, your duct system is moving air across that buildup every time the AC runs. Smoke particles bond to existing residue, making the problem worse.
Schedule a professional inspection if anyone in the home has respiratory symptoms.Children, seniors, pregnant women, and anyone with asthma, COPD, or recent surgery are most vulnerable to PM2.5 exposure. A NADCA-certified inspection can identify whether duct cleaning, sanitizing, or filtration upgrades are needed.

Why South Florida Is Uniquely Exposed

While most national wildfire-smoke coverage focuses on the West Coast and the Northeast, Florida faces a compounding set of indoor air quality pressures:

Active in-state wildfires.Northern and central Florida fires have produced smoke plumes that drift south on prevailing winds, even when local air looks clear.
Imported Canadian wildfire smoke.National Weather Service forecasts indicate smoke from Canadian fires is expected to reach the Southeast as 2026 wildfire season progresses.
Saharan dust layer.Beginning in mid-June, the Saharan Air Layer routinely pushes fine particulate over Palm Beach County, compounding any existing wildfire haze.
Atlantic hurricane season.Beginning June 1, post-storm moisture intrusion creates ideal conditions for mold and microbial growth inside ductwork.
Year-round HVAC use.Unlike northern markets where systems sit idle for months, Palm Beach County HVAC systems run nearly continuously, recirculating any contaminants that enter the system.

"This is the worst possible combination of variables for indoor air, and it 's all hitting in the same ninety-day window, " Brunsvold said. "If your duct system has not been inspected in the last two to three years, this is the year to do it. "

About the American Lung Association 's 2026 Findings

The American Lung Association 's recently released 2026 "State of the Air " report found that Florida 's air quality did not improve year over year, citing persistent wildfire activity as a contributing factor. The report reinforces what Greenfox Air technicians have observed in Palm Beach County homes throughout the spring: outdoor air quality directly impacts indoor air quality, and indoor air is where most South Florida residents spend the majority of their day.

Free Indoor Air Quality Assessments Available

In response to current conditions, Greenfox Air is offering complimentary in-home indoor air quality assessments to Palm Beach County residents through May 21, 2026. Priority is being given to households that include children under 12, adults over 65, and individuals with diagnosed respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. To request an assessment, residents can visit greenfoxair.com or call (561) 206-4307.

About Greenfox Air

Greenfox Air is a locally owned, NADCA-certified indoor air quality company serving West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Shores, and the surrounding Palm Beach County communities. Founded by industry veterans with more than 30 years of combined experience, the company provides air conditioning service and installation, professional air duct cleaning, air duct sanitizing, air filtration system installation, and odor and mold remediation - all performed to NADCA Assessment, Cleaning, and Restoration (ACR) standards. To learn more, visit greenfoxair.com.

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Media Contact:

Brett Brunsvold
President
Greenfox Air
(561) 206-4307
info@greenfoxair.com
greenfoxair.com

Notes for editors:Greenfox Air President Brett Brunsvold is available for on-camera and phone interviews regarding wildfire smoke and indoor air quality in Palm Beach County. High-resolution photos of HVAC inspection and duct cleaning operations are available on request.

Sources referenced in this release: