(TELLER COUNTY, Colo.) — With the Highland Lake Fire creating high amounts of smoke in Teller County on Tuesday, Oct. 29, the Teller County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) released a guide for identifying and dealing with health problems caused by wildfire smoke. RELATED COVERAGE: TCSO: New pre-evacs ordered, Stage 3 fire ban enacted According to the guide, particles in wildfire smoke can be irritating to a person's throat, eyes, and lungs. The people most likely to be negatively affected by smoke inhalation are the elderly, young children, pregnant women, people with smoke allergies, and people with pre-existing lung or heart conditions, such as asthma, emphysema, or COPD. However, inhaling smoke is not healthy for anyone. Those in areas with high levels of smoke should watch for these symptoms of smoke exposure: Eye, nose, or throat irritation Runny eyes or nose or sore throat Coughing Trouble breathing or chest tightness Onset of asthma or emphysema symptoms Those who experience trouble breathing or tightness of the chest could be having symptoms of a more serious medical condition and should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. People who have been exposed to smoke have an increased chance of getting sick with a cold or having an immune response within days or weeks of exposure. Those whose symptoms persist or are severe should contact their primary care provider. The following tips are recommended to minimize smoke exposure: Stay indoors Close windows and doors, but not so tight that there is no circulation, which could cause indoor temperatures to reach dangerously hot levels Use HEPA room air filters if available Avoid exercising and limit outdoor activities Get enough sleep, eat a healthy well-balanced diet, and mitigate stress Drink plenty of water Keep the bedroom windows closed at night, smoke tends to be worse at dawn Wear an N95 mask, cloth or surgical masks will not give adequate protection