Closing out Smoke Ready Week

As we reach the end of Smoke Ready Week, now is the perfect time to make sure you have a plan for smoke events. With summer almost upon us and the fire risk looking high across the PNW, preparing in advance is the best way to limit the stress and anxiety of wildfire season. We wanted to share a few essential tips for protecting yourself, as well as updates to a key air quality resource.

Essential #SmokeReady tips

Our post from Monday (6/1/26) outlined how to prepare for and respond to smoke events. This includes:

• Identifying your risk level based on age and health conditions
• Talking to your healthcare provider about smoke and your health
• Knowing the main symptoms of smoke exposure
• Finding a reliable way to monitoring air quality conditions
• EPA's updated Fire & Smoke Map (more on this later) is at the top of this page
• The WA Air Quality Map has sensor and monitors around the state
• Using the Air Quality Index (AQI) to decide when conditions are safe
• Knowing how to clean your indoor air
• Use a portable air cleaner or DIY clean air fan and create a cleaner air room
• Wear an N95 respirator if you must go outside when it's smoky

Look above for daily smoke forecasts

The map at the top of this page was updated and includes a few helpful changes. You can still find the daily smoke forecasts, but now with a new toggle feature. Click on any forecast day and you'll see a zonal AQI forecast for that day. These are daily forecasts representing an average for the day. Hour-to-hour air quality conditions may be below or above the displayed category. 

In addition, the zonal forecast represents an average for that zone. If a zone is labeled "Moderate," that isn't a guarantee that every location within the zone is experiencing moderate air quality. One portion may be experiencing "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" (USG) while another location is observing "Good" air quality.

The 5-day forecasts come from a mix of professional judgement by air quality forecasters at local clean air agencies and Ecology, PM2.5 predictions from a machine learning model, and PM2.5 forecasts from Ecology's HYSPLIT dispersion model. For all the fun details, click the "Learn about forecasts" link that pops up when you click on a forecast day. 

Daily forecasts are first published around 6 a.m. and may be updated throughout the morning as air quality forecasters make manual adjustments.

A quick guide to fire and smoke map symbols

Not all symbols are the same! The larger circles are permanent air quality monitors operated by state, local, and tribal air quality professionals. Circles denoted with a "T" are temporary monitors. 

The smaller circles are air sensors, and include Purple Air low-cost sensors (with EPA's correction equation applied) as well as SensWA sensors designed and built by Ecology. SensWA sensors undergo quality-control checks, real-time data screening, and bias corrections. To see locations of SensWA sensors throughout the state, make sure the "SensWA" toggle under the "Air Sensor" layer is selected (after clicking the "Map Settings" button in the upper right). Additional layers to toggle on/off for more information include smoke outlooks, fire incidents, and satellite-detected smoke plumes.

Stay safe this summer!

Thanks for tuning in during Smoke Ready Week! Be sure to bookmark the blog for smoke updates over the next few months.

Employers should prepare now for wildfire season

Smoke Ready Week is the perfect time for employers to prepare for wildfire season. Employers should take proactive steps to protect workers by:

• Preparing a written wildfire smoke response plan
• Providing wildfire smoke training to employees
• Knowing where to find current AQI conditions

Remember, when the AQI is above 101, employers must provide respirators to workers for voluntary use. A NIOSH-approved N95 mask is the best way to protect workers. 

Visit Lni.wa.gov/BeSmokeReady for the complete rules and tips on how L&I can help businesses with their safety plans free of charge.

It's time to get ready for wildfire smoke!

Welcome to June! It is time to start thinking about getting Smoke Ready. Preparing now means less stress when smoke comes.

We’ll be posting throughout the week on Smoke Ready topics. Today, we’ll focus on the risks of smoke exposure and how to protect yourself. Here are key steps to take:

S – Stay Informed
M – Minimize Exposure
O – Optimize Your Air
K – Keep a Plan
E – Ease Your Mind

Smoke and your health

Inhaling wildfire smoke is harmful to our health. Anyone who breathes in smoke may experience symptoms, though children, adults over 65, pregnant people, and people with lung or heart conditions are at higher risk. Everyone reacts to smoke differently, and smoke impacts can occur at any level of smoke. Symptoms can include:

• Irritation of eye, nose, and throat
• Coughing, sore throat, headaches
• Wheezing and shortness of breath
• Worsening of existing conditions, with symptoms like asthma attacks, chest pain, or irregular heartbeat. 

Prepare for wildfire smoke

The best time to prepare for wildfire smoke is now. Here are some steps you can take:

• Know how to monitor the air quality. Start with the current and forecasted air quality on the top of this page and learn more about the air quality index.
• For people with lung and heart conditions, talk with your medical provider to make a plan.
• Gather supplies to filter your indoor air and protect yourself, such as portable air cleaners, HVAC filters, supplies for do-it-yourself box fan filters, and N95 masks.

During wildfire smoke

When there is wildfire smoke, take the following steps to protect yourself and your family: 

• Stay inside with cleaner indoor air: 
• Filter indoor air with a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter, a box fan filter, or your HVAC system set to recirculate.
• Close windows and doors unless it’s too hot to maintain safe temperatures.
• Pay attention to symptoms and seek medical help if needed.
• If you must go outside, wear a well-fitting N95 mask, limit physical exertion, and stay hydrated. 
• Local health departments and fire districts are great resources for finding wildfire and cleaner air shelters.

Wildfires and smoke events aren’t just dangerous, they’re also stressful and frightening – especially to those without a close support network. Check in on your neighbors and people in your community before and during a smoke event.

Creating a support network in your community will help everyone manage the stress, anxiety, and health risks of wildfire season. Make sure to take care of your own mental health by seeking out activities that keep you calm and grounded. Learn more about Coping with the Stress of Wildfire Smoke (PDF).

For more information on how to protect yourself, visit DOH’s Smoke from Fires page and Smoke Ready Spokane's checklist.