Westerly winds, and some effects from the remnants of the storm formerly known as Hurricane Hilary should scour our local air clean later today.
Thanks to that shift in winds, the smoke that inundated the Olympic Region over the weekend should be mostly cleared by mid-afternoon Monday, August 21. But pockets of smoke may linger in some mountain valleys and higher slopes, so residents should consider their localized air quality when planning outdoor activities.
Residents should also keep in that that the wildfires of eastern Washington, and especially those in British Columbia continue to rage, and smoke from those fires remains high aloft and could be pushed back into western Washington in the coming weeks. Staying informed about smoke migration is vital this time of year.
Check outdoor air quality for your area on the ORCAA air monitoring page, or on the Department of Ecology interactive map page. During wildfire smoke episodes, you can track smoke plumes at the EPA Fire and Smoke Map (airnow.gov). You may also check Washington DNR’s Current Wildfire Incident Information | WA – DNR and the Washington Smoke Blog.
One way to help minimize smoke impacts is to ensure no additional smoke is added to our local air. Outdoor burning is currently prohibited in all six ORCAA counties – Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston – for fire safety reasons. These burn bans include the recreational fires, a.k.a. campfires. You can see more information on burn bans the current restrictions on ORCAA webpage, County Burning Restrictions – ORCAA.
Health Impacts and Recommended Actions:
When air quality is Unhealthy, everyone should take steps to reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air. Stay cool and hydrated in the excessive heat. When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, sensitive groups should take steps to reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air.
For more information on Health Impacts and ways to address them, visit the ORCAA’s information page: Wildfire Smoke – ORCAA.
Or visit the Washington Department of Health’s Smoke Information page: Smoke From Fires | Washington State Department of Health.
