WASHINGTON STATE DEPT. OF HEALTH Press release 9/14/20
OLYMPIA . As wildfires spread across the West Coast, a gigantic cloud of smoke blankets western Washington and affects air quality; situation that will probably continue for several days. The quality of the air (available in English only) across Washington could reach very unhealthy levels, so the Washington State Department of Health wants people to be prepared. Also, smoke is not the only problem. The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing issue and everyone needs to know how to stay safe from smoke and fire while preventing the spread of the disease.
Breathing wildfire smoke can lead to relatively mild symptoms, such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as more dangerous symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. The best way to protect yourself from smoky air is to stay indoors and keep indoor air clean by improving filtration. (only available in English) and creating a room with clean air (only available in English) at your home. Here are some recommendations to reduce the entry of smoke into your home:
Close windows and doors when there is smoke outside. Open windows to let clean air in when outside air quality is best.
Put the air conditioners in re circulation mode.
Avoid lighting candles or burning incense, smoking, roasting or frying food, and vacuuming, as these activities can contribute to indoor pollution.
Use a portable air purifier with a HEPA filter. Air Purifier Information for Users - California Air Resources Board(only available in English) .
Build your own box fan filter. Video on How to Make Your Own Fresh Air Fan from the Washington Department of Ecology(only available in English) .
This wildfire season is particularly difficult in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are considering leaving the area to escape smoke or fire, consider the restrictions imposed by COVID-19 in the county you are traveling to and think about the people you visit. This is very important for those who are at a higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19. Those who host people trying to escape fire or smoke should keep their social circles small, wear masks indoors, and continue frequent hand washing.
These steps alone are not enough to protect you from COVID-19, but wearing cloth masks to protect yourself and others is still critical. "Cloth masks do not usually provide much protection against wildfire smoke, but they are still indispensable in a pandemic," said Health Secretary John Wiesman. "We ask people to continue wearing cloth masks to slow down the spread of COVID-19."
Useful links:
https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/p/county.html
Related stories:
Inslee issues proclamation waiving truck driver hour limitations for fire retardant deliveries.
" Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation today suspending the truck driver hour limitations for drivers who are delivering fire retardant.
Fire retardant powder is currently in high demand in the Pacific Northwest, and is produced outside of Washington state. There are currently insufficient drivers to ensure timely delivery of fire retardant within the maximum number of driving hours allowed by state law. "
‘We’ve had fires before but nothing like this’: Already endangered by COVID-19, Washington farms and farm workers face new threat from wildfires
Those who work outside struggle with smoke and ash and, one night last week, evacuation to a park where they slept in the cold. "We've had fires before but nothing like this," said an Eastern Washington rancher.--Seattle Times
Air quality in Puget Sound region reaches 'hazardous' levels as wildfires burn across West Coast--Seattle PI
Air quality conditions in the Puget Sound area are expected to decline Friday and into the weekend as wildfires across the West Coast continue to devastate the region.
Clean air still out of reach for now as forecast shifts in South Sound--The Olympian
https://www.theolympian.com/news/weather/article245723145.html
Rantz: Gov Inslee fails on Washington wildfires, blames climate change--My Northwest
https://mynorthwest.com/2156192/gov-inslee-fails-washington-fighting-wildfires/
" As wildfires ravage Washington state it’s become increasingly clear that we’ve been left defenseless by an absent Governor Jay Inslee.
While he’ll happily exploit the fires to push climate change talking points, it exposes him as a politician who literally only has talking points to spew. His record on climate change is as abysmal as his plan to defend against these fires. And state documents show the fire problems we’re currently experiencing isn’t about climate change: It’s about poor forest management."
Sunday’s bad air set record in Spokane; unhealthy readings expected to stick around until weekend--Spokesman Review
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/sep/14/unhealthy-smoke-expected-to-stick-around-spokane-u/
Trump’s testy relationship with California overshadows visit to check on wildfires---LA TIMES
Editorial Note; Since I seem to be on face book, and other social media platforms throughout the week, not just on Saturdays, I decided to update this blog more frequently than just once a week..Let's see how this goes...
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