Thursday, August 16, 2018
Breathe a Little Fresh Air... Please!
A lot of Western Washington saw the smoke clear out last night and through this morning. The air quality is in the Good to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range in most western locations and it should clear up even more through today.
This westerly flow that we are experiencing should also bring some momentary relief Friday evening for residents in counties like Kittitas, Grant, Benton, Franklin, and Walla Walla. Neighboring counties may also see a bit of clearing. Air quality in central and eastern Washington will vary, but with the nearby fires, residents in Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties should expect continued smoky conditions through the weekend.
Unfortunately, these winds also mean there is a potential for fire growth...
And, now for the really bad news, the forecast for Sunday night is for winds from the north which could add more smoke from Canada into the region.
PM2.5 Across Washington (8 - 9 am; Thursday)
This westerly flow that we are experiencing should also bring some momentary relief Friday evening for residents in counties like Kittitas, Grant, Benton, Franklin, and Walla Walla. Neighboring counties may also see a bit of clearing. Air quality in central and eastern Washington will vary, but with the nearby fires, residents in Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties should expect continued smoky conditions through the weekend.
Unfortunately, these winds also mean there is a potential for fire growth...
And, now for the really bad news, the forecast for Sunday night is for winds from the north which could add more smoke from Canada into the region.
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
A little clearing in Western Washington
Many people in Western Washington are wondering... when will this smoke clear out? Thankfully we have seen a little clearing start to occur this afternoon. Some monitors in Western Washington are down to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups and a couple are even down to Moderate. Most monitors in Western Washington are still in the Unhealthy range due to lingering smoke, but more clearing is expected through tonight and tomorrow. It may be short lived, but we expect at least a couple days of cleaner air coming up.
Be thankful you aren't in Alberta! Take a look at the giant smoke storm that traveled east over Canada today.
Be thankful you aren't in Alberta! Take a look at the giant smoke storm that traveled east over Canada today.
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| MODIS Image for 11 am on Wednesday Fire Locations Shown in Red |
Don't Tough it Out!
Daycares, camps and school sports
practices should be held indoors when the air quality is poor.
When the smoke levels are unhealthy, it is recommended that outdoor activities be restricted for everyone, especially those in sensitive groups who could have a wide range of health effects. Sensitive groups include those with health conditions, infants, children, pregnant women and people over 65.
Keep smoke out of buildings. If there is no air conditioning, keep it cooler indoors with shades and fans. Remember to stay hydrated.
When the smoke levels are unhealthy, it is recommended that outdoor activities be restricted for everyone, especially those in sensitive groups who could have a wide range of health effects. Sensitive groups include those with health conditions, infants, children, pregnant women and people over 65.
Keep smoke out of buildings. If there is no air conditioning, keep it cooler indoors with shades and fans. Remember to stay hydrated.
- More information about outdoor activities for children: Air Pollution and School Activities Guide (PDF)
- Recommendations for keeping indoor air clean in schools and buildings with mechanical ventilation: Improving Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality during Wildfire Smoke Events (PDF)
8/15/2018 British Columbia once again dealing with a very bad wildfire year - and we're getting some of the smoke
The B.C. Canada government declared a state of emergency today (Wednesday 8/15/18) due to wildfires. Approximately 566 wildfires are burning in B.C, with 29 evacuation orders affecting approximately 3,050 people. An additional 18,720 people are under evacuation alert. This is the second year in a row our neighbors to the north have been inundated with fire and smoke and some of that smoke has been heading south to Washington and beyond.
The best air quality models that predict smoke movement and accumulation in the Pacific Northwest, don't include fires and smoke from that far north. Other models do include the fires in Canada although their resolution is not as good so predicting air quality impacts in Washington as affected by smoke from Canada is rather challenging. The satellite photo below, taken yesterday (Tuesday) shows the red "hot spots" marking the large areas of fire in B.C. Fires in Washington can also be seen to the south. Note the magnitude of the smoke accumulation just north of the international border. We've already received some smoke from the north, how much more will travel to Washington in the coming days?
Another satellite photo from yesterday got a really clear view of fires and smoke around Washington. Plumes from the Crescent Mountain and McLeod fires are clearly visible north of Lake Chelan in the Methow Valley area, and the Cougar Creek plume is visible to the south of Lake Chelan closer to the center of the state. Large image available at the link: ModisAqua8_14
The best air quality models that predict smoke movement and accumulation in the Pacific Northwest, don't include fires and smoke from that far north. Other models do include the fires in Canada although their resolution is not as good so predicting air quality impacts in Washington as affected by smoke from Canada is rather challenging. The satellite photo below, taken yesterday (Tuesday) shows the red "hot spots" marking the large areas of fire in B.C. Fires in Washington can also be seen to the south. Note the magnitude of the smoke accumulation just north of the international border. We've already received some smoke from the north, how much more will travel to Washington in the coming days?
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Wildfire smoke can make its way into your home.
To help
keep your indoor air as clean as possible, follow these steps.
- Keep windows and doors closed. Track the outside air quality and open your windows for fresh air when the air quality improves. Pay attention to the heat indoors. Close curtains to reduce heat gain during the hottest part of the day. Use fans to circulate the air.
- Run an air conditioner, set it to re-circulate and close the fresh-air intake. Make sure to change the filter regularly.
- Use an air cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to reduce indoor air pollution, this will reduce the number of irritating fine particles in indoor air. A HEPA filter with charcoal will help remove some of the gases from the smoke. Don’t use an air cleaner that produces ozone. See California’s air cleaning devices for the home fact sheet (PDF).
- Don’t add to indoor pollution. Don’t smoke. Don’t use food broilers, candles, incense, fireplaces, or gas stoves. Don’t vacuum unless your vacuum has a HEPA filter, because vacuuming stirs up particles already inside your home.
- Consider leaving the area if the air quality is poor and it's not possible to keep indoor air clean, especially if you or those you are caring for are having health problems or are in a sensitive group.
- For more information about keeping indoor air free of smoke: Improving Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality during Wildfire Smoke Events (PDF).
- Mantenga las puertas y ventanas cerradas. Manténgase al día sobre la calidad del aire y abra puertas y ventanas cuando mejore el aire. Ponga atención al calor dentro de su hogar. Cierre cortinas para reducir el calor durante las horas más calurosas del día. Use ventiladores para que circule el aire.
- Prenda el aire acondicionado, colóquelo en modo recirculación y cierre el ingreso de aire fresco. Asegúrese de cambiar el filtro regularmente.
- Utilice purificadores de aire de alta eficiencia (HEPA, high-efficiency particulate air) para reducir la contaminación del aire dentro de su hogar. Un filtro HEPA de carbón ayudará a remover algunos de los gases del humo. No use un limpiador de aire que produzca ozono. Vea los instrumentos de California para purificar el aire (PDF) (solo en inglés).
- No contribuya a contaminar el aire en el interior de su hogar . No fume. No utilice braceros para cocinar, velas, chimeneas o estufas de gas. No utilice una aspiradora a menos que tu aspiradora tenga un filtro HEPA, ya que de esta forma moverá las partículas que ya se encuentran en el interior de su hogar.
- Considere salir del área si la calidad del aire sigue mala y no es posible mantener el aire del interior de su hogar limpio, especialmente si está cuidando a personas con problemas de salud o que tengan más sensibilidad al humo.
- Para más información acerca de cómo mantener el aire dentro de su hogar libre de humo: Mejorando la Ventilación y la Calidad del Aire Interior Durante Eventos de Incendios Forestales. Mejorando la ventilación y la calidad del air interior durante eventos de incendios forestales (PDF) (solo en inglés).
Wildfires, smoke, and unhealthy air. How did we get here?
Many difficult questions come up when wildfire smoke fills the air such as: why are the forests burning? are there more fires/larger fires now than we used to see? is this "normal"? And finally can anything be done about it? Paul Hessburg, a Forest Service scientist from Wenatchee, has recorded a 15 minute TED talk that addresses these issues and shows examples of forest changes from our state. You can find it at this link if the topic is of interest:
Unhealthy air for all!
Yesterday turned out to be a bit more smoky in Western Washington than we anticipated. The smoky air, mostly from Canada, lingered throughout the evening and is still sticking around today. Western Washington residents should expect Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Unhealthy air to persist through today and into tomorrow morning. Fortunately, forecast models are showing that Wednesday afternoon should see strong enough westerly winds to clear the smoke out and bring Good to Moderate air quality into the region. There may even be a little relief as early as tonight.
Central Washington residents are not quite so lucky. We have been monitoring Unhealthy to Hazardous air quality all across the region. Residents have been hit hard with the combination of Canadian smoke plus the fires on the eastern slopes of the Cascades. Winds shouldn't bring much more Canadian smoke into the region for the next couple days, but the current smoke will likely linger and local fires will continue to impact the region. We expect Very Unhealthy air to persist in many areas across Central Washington for the next couple days, with perhaps better conditions in the southern-most counties.
Eastern Washington has also been sitting in Unhealthy air which will likely persist. Forecast models do show somewhat of a split between Northeastern and Southeastern Washington on Wednesday evening. Residents in Spokane and other parts of Northeastern Washington will probably continue to experience Unhealthy air. However, the Southeastern counties could get a little better tomorrow night, with perhaps Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups air quality.
So, while Western Washington may have lucked out this time with a relatively short-lived smoke event, the rest of the state will likely continue to see smoky conditions in the foreseeable future.
Please see the Smoke and Health tab of this blog for information about what you can do to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. For those interested in purchasing indoor air purifiers, see this good NY Times article from last year entitled What to Know Before Buying an Air Purifier to Clear Wildfire Smoke.
Central Washington residents are not quite so lucky. We have been monitoring Unhealthy to Hazardous air quality all across the region. Residents have been hit hard with the combination of Canadian smoke plus the fires on the eastern slopes of the Cascades. Winds shouldn't bring much more Canadian smoke into the region for the next couple days, but the current smoke will likely linger and local fires will continue to impact the region. We expect Very Unhealthy air to persist in many areas across Central Washington for the next couple days, with perhaps better conditions in the southern-most counties.
MODIS Satellite Image for 11 am PDT (Fire locations shown in red)
(Note the huge patch of smoke over BC)
Eastern Washington has also been sitting in Unhealthy air which will likely persist. Forecast models do show somewhat of a split between Northeastern and Southeastern Washington on Wednesday evening. Residents in Spokane and other parts of Northeastern Washington will probably continue to experience Unhealthy air. However, the Southeastern counties could get a little better tomorrow night, with perhaps Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups air quality.
Washington's PM2.5 (smoke) conditions (11 am - noon PDT)
Please see Current Conditions Here
So, while Western Washington may have lucked out this time with a relatively short-lived smoke event, the rest of the state will likely continue to see smoky conditions in the foreseeable future.
Please see the Smoke and Health tab of this blog for information about what you can do to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. For those interested in purchasing indoor air purifiers, see this good NY Times article from last year entitled What to Know Before Buying an Air Purifier to Clear Wildfire Smoke.
Monday, August 13, 2018
8/13/2018 Smoky State overview
Smoke is moving south into the state from Canada plus some of the smoke from fires east of the Cascades has filtered over the mountains into the Puget Sound area. There are other fires in the state contributing to the mix, including the large Grass Valley fire near Grand Coulee Dam but the fires indicated are the ones contributing the most to poor air quality around the state. (Satellite photo from about 2pm this afternoon. Original, large image can be seen here: ModisAug13)
Where is all this smoke coming from?
A shift in winds over the weekend brought a thick haze from Canada that is covering most of our state. Fortunately, residents in Western Washington are still experiencing Good air quality, with the exception being places at higher elevations in the Cascades experiencing air quality that is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Some smoke might make its way from Canada into the Puget Sound lowlands later today and tomorrow, but westerly winds should return on Wednesday and clear out any lingering smoke.
Residents in the northern parts of Central and Eastern Washington are experiencing severe smoky conditions due to both local and regional wildfires that are currently burning. Monitors are showing Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy air quality from Wenatchee to Spokane, with no clearing expected in the near-term forecast. Light winds from the north are expected to continue throughout the day, which means residents in Yakima, Benton, and Franklin counties could see conditions worsen to Moderate to Unhealthy. Southeastern Washington may not get too bad, but it won't be surprising if we see Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups air quality in Walla Walla, Asotin, and other nearby counties.
MODIS Image from Sunday afternoon with fire locations shown in red.
Residents in the northern parts of Central and Eastern Washington are experiencing severe smoky conditions due to both local and regional wildfires that are currently burning. Monitors are showing Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy air quality from Wenatchee to Spokane, with no clearing expected in the near-term forecast. Light winds from the north are expected to continue throughout the day, which means residents in Yakima, Benton, and Franklin counties could see conditions worsen to Moderate to Unhealthy. Southeastern Washington may not get too bad, but it won't be surprising if we see Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups air quality in Walla Walla, Asotin, and other nearby counties.
PM2.5 Monitors on Monday Morning
The National Weather Service has issued an air quality alert for all of central and eastern Washington. This will be updated on Wednesday, and we hope southern counties will only be experiencing short-lived smoky conditions.
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Friday, August 10, 2018
Weekend smoke update: yes it will get better, but there's a catch
Prefer a video chat of the forecast?
Ecology and DNR staff discuss the smoke forecast and health-protection steps you can take:
Prefer the forecast the same old way?
Satellite picture from this morning shows a lot of smoke overhead and fires in the Cascades puffing out a lot of smoke.
The clouds offshore are a harbinger of a cold front that will clear things out by tonight into Saturday. Most of western WA should see Good air this weekend, but there might be some lightning on Saturday so the potential exists for new fire starts.
Much of eastern Washington has been choking and frying all week but will see some improvement, both from smoke and heat. Areas further from the fires are likely to enjoy Good air and this is a great time to throw open all the doors and windows to flush out homes.
Unfortunately areas closer to the fires, especially Chelan and Okanogan counties will only enjoy modest improvements.
Catch-22
Them winds dont come with no string attached. They're strong enough to worsen fire growth. Early next week we're likely to see a return to calmer conditions so fresh smoke will not dissipate easily.
Ecology and DNR staff discuss the smoke forecast and health-protection steps you can take:
Prefer the forecast the same old way?
Satellite picture from this morning shows a lot of smoke overhead and fires in the Cascades puffing out a lot of smoke.
The clouds offshore are a harbinger of a cold front that will clear things out by tonight into Saturday. Most of western WA should see Good air this weekend, but there might be some lightning on Saturday so the potential exists for new fire starts.
Much of eastern Washington has been choking and frying all week but will see some improvement, both from smoke and heat. Areas further from the fires are likely to enjoy Good air and this is a great time to throw open all the doors and windows to flush out homes.
Unfortunately areas closer to the fires, especially Chelan and Okanogan counties will only enjoy modest improvements.
Catch-22
Them winds dont come with no string attached. They're strong enough to worsen fire growth. Early next week we're likely to see a return to calmer conditions so fresh smoke will not dissipate easily.
Staying Safe in Extreme Heat and Poor Air Quality: Conversation with Spokane Regional Health District Health Officer, Dr. Bob Lutz
Need your questions answered by Dr. Lutz? Visit SRHD's Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/spokanehealth/
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