Pool guide
Wildfires: how to protect your pool from smoke and ash
Even far from a fire, smoke and windborne particles can reach your pool. The goal is not to use more products, but to follow a simple method: remove debris, maintain good filtration, test the water, and treat only what needs to be treated.
What to monitor
Possible effects on your pool
Ash can change the pH and increase sanitizer demand.
Very fine particles can make the water look dull or slightly cloudy.
Baskets, cartridges, or filter media may become clogged more quickly.
Soot and ash should be physically removed before adding any products.
Action plan
What should you do if ash falls into the pool?
Use a leaf net and empty the skimmer baskets.
Stir the fine particles back into suspension so they can be filtered.
Monitor the filter flow rate and pressure during the smoky period.
Check the pH and sanitizer, then adjust only as needed.
Backwash or clean according to the type of filter and how dirty it is.
If the water remains cloudy after filtration, a clarifier can help capture fine particles.
1. Test the pH and sanitizer first
Avoid treating the water solely because the sky is smoky. After a period of smoke or ash deposits, first test the pH and sanitizer level. A complete laboratory analysis may be useful if the water changes quickly or the situation persists.
For a saltwater pool, there is no need to automatically increase the generator's output. Adjust it based on the water test results and the treatment system used.
2. Prioritize filtration
In most situations, filtration does much of the work. Keep circulation efficient, empty the baskets regularly, and monitor the filter pressure. An abnormal increase in pressure or a decrease in flow often indicates that cleaning is needed.
3. Check phosphates only when necessary
Phosphates may become relevant if a significant amount of ash, runoff water, or flame retardants has reached the pool. It is best to test before treating.
If the results show a high level, a targeted treatment can then be used according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Two useful products
Use only if your situation warrants it
We are intentionally keeping the selection short: one product for confirmed phosphates and one clarifier for fine particles.
If phosphate levels are high
Dazzle Phos Cleanse Plus
Consider when testing confirms that phosphate treatment is appropriate.
View product
If the water remains cloudy
Dazzle Nature Sheen
A clarifier designed to help the filter retain certain fine particles in suspension.
View product4. When should the filter be cleaned more thoroughly?
If the flow remains low, the pressure rises quickly, or the filter has captured a large amount of particles, a more thorough cleaning may be useful. For a sand filter, this may include backwashing and, if needed, a filter media cleaner. For a cartridge filter, remove and clean the cartridges according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Key takeaways
The right strategy: clean, filter, test, then treat
A pool exposed to smoke does not automatically need a long list of products. Start with physical actions and filtration. Then let the test results guide chemical adjustments.
Need help analyzing your water?
Bring a water sample to the Piscine Hippocampe laboratory. Our team can check the important parameters and recommend only the adjustments that are truly necessary.