We are happy, as many of you are as well, to see the smoke finally dissipate from Washington and close out this year's crazy season. Who knew our first wildfire of the season would start in mid-July and continue to burn into November? Just goes to show how unpredictable wildfire smoke season can be.
This will conclude our reporting for 2022 on the WASmoke blog. We'll return in 2023 when wildfire season kicks off again.
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| 7/18/22 The Stayman Flats Wildfire Photo courtesy of WA DNR |
Recommendations during the off-season:
The map at the top of this page remains active throughout the year. During the off-season, you can still find information here on:
Winter Air Quality burn bans:
Colder weather is upon us, which means an uptick in wintertime wood smoke.
Air quality burn bans typically occur in the winter when wood smoke pollutes the air. They are called by Ecology, local clean air agencies, and Tribes to protect people's health. A burn ban limits wood stove use and outdoor burning.
See if there is Air Quality burn ban in effect before firing up your wood stove or fireplace.
Air quality burn bans do not apply if it is your ONLY source of heat.
Air quality burn bans do not apply if it is your ONLY source of heat.
If you do burn wood to heat your home, those clean air fans are still useful to help keep your indoor air clean!
Thank you for all your hard work and information you share. We really appreciate you!
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Your readable, timely information has been very helpful. So long fire season 2022 will enjoy the cold, wet weather for the next few months for sure!
DeleteIt's smoky again, or something...what's going on?
ReplyDeleteLikely you are smelling wood smoke from home heating.
DeleteAre you sure it isn't the Loch Katrine fire? That's the only one close to the Seattle area.
DeleteWildfire season is essentially over. Any burning in the state you notice would most likely be home heating or residential outdoor burning. There is also prescribed and agricultural fire but those shouldn't be anywhere near Seattle. Wintertime stagnation is a concern, and there is currently a notice on https://www.pscleanair.gov/
DeleteThank you all for the info. Can you shed some light as to why we continue to have moderate air quality seemingly across the state despite the fires being out? Or are they still contributing to the PM2.5 pollutant?
ReplyDeleteWhen air is cold and stagnant, it doesn't take much pm2.5 for concentrations to get "moderate" because the mixing layer is shallow. Many people heat their homes by burning wood, which is why you see more pollution in highly populated areas right now, rather than in the mountains.
DeleteI think 2023 smoke season is starting, alas.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to 2023! Seems Canada is exporting its wildfire smoke over the western Washington area.
ReplyDeleteHas the 2023 season already started ??
ReplyDeleteSadly it would seem so. Please see the first blog post of the 2023 season, 2 weeks earlier than we had planned.
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