Wildfire smoke returns to Western Washington as Spokane fires drive unhealthy-air concerns
Smoke from the Spokane Complex and other Pacific Northwest wildfires was moving into Western Washington on Aug. 3 and 4, raising the possibility of unhealthy air in the Seattle area through midweek.
Shifting winds were carrying wildfire haze west of the Cascades as smoke moved closer to the surface, according to Axios Seattle, which cited the National Weather Service in Seattle. The forecast applied to specific areas and times, not to Washington uniformly. Conditions can differ sharply between Eastern and Western Washington and may change by location and hour.
Why smoke from Eastern Washington can reach Seattle
The Spokane Complex consists of three fast-moving fires burning near Spokane. Axios reported that the fires had forced about 65,000 evacuations, destroyed roughly 640 structures and burned more than 8,000 acres since Saturday, citing the Washington State Emergency Operations Center. Those figures were preliminary and should not be treated as final.
The smoke emergency is separate from evacuation and fire-response decisions. Residents should follow local emergency instructions, including any evacuation orders, even if air quality near them appears acceptable. Smoke precautions do not replace directions from emergency officials.
Who faces the greatest health risk
Smoke is unhealthy for everyone, but the Washington State Department of Health identifies children and youth, older adults, pregnant people and people with heart or lung conditions as being at higher risk of health problems.
Fine particles in wildfire smoke can travel deep into the lungs. Exposure can cause irritation, coughing, fatigue, headaches, wheezing and shortness of breath, and can worsen asthma and other heart or lung conditions.
People with asthma or another lung disease should follow their health care provider’s advice or asthma action plan. Anyone with severe symptoms, including chest pain or difficulty breathing, should seek medical attention or call emergency services when appropriate.
What to do outdoors
When smoke is present, everyone should reduce exposure by limiting the duration and intensity of outdoor physical activity. Residents should check air quality before exercising, biking, commuting outdoors, attending outdoor activities or allowing children to engage in strenuous play.
If outdoor exposure cannot be avoided for a limited time, the Department of Health recommends a properly fitted, NIOSH-approved particulate respirator such as an N95. Fit matters: Gaps around the edges reduce protection, and facial hair can prevent a seal.
N95 respirators filter most fine particles in wildfire smoke but do not remove harmful gases such as carbon monoxide. Because respirators can make breathing more difficult, people with heart or lung disease or chronic illness should consult a health care provider before using one.
How to keep indoor air cleaner
When conditions outside are smoky, close windows and doors unless doing so would create unsafe indoor temperatures. Set air conditioning and HVAC systems to recirculate rather than drawing smoky outdoor air inside.
The Department of Health recommends filtering indoor air through an HVAC system, a properly sized HEPA portable air cleaner or another effective filtration setup. If an HVAC system can handle it, a MERV 13 filter or the highest-rated filter approved for that system can reduce fine particles.
Residents should also avoid adding indoor pollution. That means avoiding smoking or vaping indoors, candles, incense, sprays, air fresheners and frying or broiling when possible. Vacuuming should be avoided unless the vacuum has a HEPA filter.
If a home cannot maintain cleaner air, residents can consider moving temporarily to a cleaner indoor location. Heat creates a separate risk, so do not close up a home in a way that creates dangerous indoor temperatures.
Where to check current conditions
Do not rely only on visibility or smell. Harmful fine particles may be present even when smoke is not obvious.
The Department of Health directs residents to the Washington Smoke Blog for current and forecast wildfire smoke conditions, the Washington Department of Ecology’s air-quality information and AirNow for current and forecast conditions. Check those tools before making outdoor plans because conditions can change quickly.
What happens next
The forecast cited by Axios on Aug. 3 called for smoke and potentially unhealthy air in the Seattle area through midweek, with cooler, cleaner air possible later in the week. That outlook did not guarantee improvement everywhere, and future smoke movement depended on fire behavior, wind and weather.
Residents should continue checking local air-quality readings and forecasts. Smoke-health precautions reduce exposure, but they do not replace evacuation notices or other instructions from emergency officials.
Sources
- Axios Seattle: Seattle's smoky skies are back
- Washington State Department of Health: Protect Yourself and Others From Smoke
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