Wildfires cause continued air quality concerns in Eastern Washington

Washington State Department of Ecology

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Department of Ecology News Release - August 9, 2006

06-152

Wildfires cause continued air quality concerns in Eastern Washington

OLYMPIA - The wildfires burning in North Central Washington are likely to cause air quality problems until the fires are out, which might take until wet winter weather returns. As a result, the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) is advising people in Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan and Stevens counties to stay alert for poor air quality.

The current forecast is for continued smoke presence in the valleys of North Central Washington. Thursday through Saturday should see somewhat decreased concentrations, but localized areas are nonetheless likely to have elevated pollution levels. The smoke is expected to remain in the vicinity of the fires until Friday when the general trajectory will be towards the east and southeast. For the next 48 hours, valleys below the main column of smoke will continue to fill with smoke in the early evenings with concentrations peaking just before mid-day.

The pattern of alternating good and bad air quality will continue until the fires are no longer burning. Windier weather helps to improve air quality, but also acts to fuel the fires. This creates more smoke, which then settles into the basin during the next period of air stagnation.

Fire officials estimate that the Spur Peak and Tripod fires may burn until there is a season- ending rain or snowfall, which may not occur until fall.

The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to people with heart and lung problems, children, and adults over 65 years old.

People with lung or heart conditions may have symptoms earlier than people who don't. Symptoms can include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, pain in the left arm or jaw, sudden overwhelming fatigue, and rapid heart beat. Contact your health care provider if you have these symptoms. Call 911 if you cannot reach your provider.

"Individuals who are sensitive to air pollution can be affected when levels increase even fairly small amounts," said Dr. Harriet Ammann, a toxicologist at Ecology. "People won't necessarily even smell or see the smoke when air pollution levels are elevated enough to be harmful."

Current air-quality information is available by county at: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/ .

Steps to take when air quality is unhealthy:

Stay inside and keep windows and doors closed.
Use the recycle or recirculate mode on the air conditioner in your home or car.
Some room air cleaners, such as HEPA filters, can help reduce smoke indoors if they are the right size for your home and if the filters are kept clean.
Avoid physical exertion. This includes keeping children from playing outdoors during smoky periods.
Asthmatics should follow their asthma-management plan.
If you have a lung and/or heart condition, be sure to keep at least a five-day supply of medication on hand.
Keep airways moist by drinking lots of water. Breathing through a warm, wet washcloth can also help relieve dryness.
Paper "dust" masks, commonly found at hardware stores, are ineffective against smoke particles. A fitted mask (select those designated OSHA N95) can be used to reduce smoke exposure unless it interferes with breathing.

Ecology also recommends that people limit their motor vehicle trips to minimize the emission of additional pollutants.

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Contact: Glenn Kuper, Public Information Manager, 360-407-6848