Smoke Season Is Around the Corner: DOH Says Get Ready Now
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is saying out loud what we have all been thinking: “We no longer have smoke-free summers in Washington." That's how DOH Air Quality Specialist Kaitlyn Kelly put it. What that means is that we have to add Smoke to our list of Washington seasons: Rain, Spring, Junuary, Summer, Spider, Extended Summer, and Fall, with Smoke coinciding with Summer and potentially extending into Fall.
Kelly warned that “We have an outlook for below normal precipitation and that’s going to last into fall, so conditions are trending to a long fire season,” which means "above normal fire activity in Washington by July."
This week (June 12–16) is Smoke Ready Week, giving us another reason to choose now to prepare for what's likely to come.
Health Concerns
Wildfire smoke contains a mixture of fine particles and gases, including carbon monoxide. The EPA explains that the fine particles are respiratory irritants that can cause pulmonary inflammation, temporary reduction in lung function, and a reduced ability to remove inhaled materials like viruses and bacteria from the lungs. The effects on people with pre-existing respiratory conditions and cardiovascular disease are worse and can exacerbate those conditions and even contribute to premature mortality.
There has not yet been enough research to determine whether persistent short-term expose can have a cumulative effect on lung function with a progressive decline that extends beyond that exposure.
Protective Measures
You can take some key steps to protecting yourself and your family from wildfire smoke.
Before smoke season, purchase an air filter (don't wait because they sell out) or make your own. You have three options to choose from:
HVAC system with MERV 13 filter
HEPA portable air cleaner.
Monitor air quality with an air quality app like AIR Now from the EPA or IQAir. Also visit the Washington Smoke blog regularly.
When smoke arrives, keep windows and doors closed and limit how much ime you spend outside.
Get more tips from the DOH Smoke from Fires page.
