Air Quality Alert issued due to elevated wildfire smoke; Residents encouraged to reduce time spent outdoors
SPOKANE, Wash – State and local air quality agencies have issued air quality alerts due to elevated wildfire smoke throughout the region. Wildfire smoke in the Spokane area is currently in the Hazardous category on the Air Quality Index (AQI), therefore everyone should take steps to reduce their exposure.
Based on current models, air quality may improve midday Saturday, according to Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency. Residents can check current air quality at SpokaneCleanAir.org, or AirNow.gov, or the Washington State Smoke Blog.
Symptoms of smoke exposure can be mild to severe, including coughing, scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, stinging eyes, runny nose, shortness of breath, chest pain, and headaches. If you have heart or lung disease, smoke might make your symptoms worse. People who have heart disease might experience chest pain, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
If you have a pre-existing respiratory condition such as asthma, COPD (including chronic bronchitis and emphysema), or allergies, smoke may worsen symptoms (inability to breathe normally, cough with or without mucus, chest discomfort, wheezing, and shortness of breath).
Seek medical attention when experiencing severe symptoms, such as chest pain or difficulty breathing. Dial 911 for emergency assistance if symptoms are serious.
Steps to reduce exposure to smoke:
- Know the AQI for your area and actions to take to protect your health.
- Reduce the amount of time spent outdoors. Avoid vigorous outside activity.
- Stay inside with cleaner indoor air.
- Close windows and doors unless it is too hot to maintain safe temperatures.
- Don’t add to indoor air pollution, such as cigarette smoking or burning candles.
- Filter indoor air through an HVAC system, HEPA portable air cleaner, or DIY box fan filter.
- Set air conditioning to recirculate.
- Washington State Department of Health provides guides for School Activities and Outdoor Sporting Events and for Community Outdoor Events and Activities to help navigate decisions based on air quality.
- If you must be outside, wear a properly fitted, NIOSH-approved particulate respirator, such as an N95 mask.
- If unable to maintain clean air at home, go elsewhere for cleaner air such as a friend’s place, public space, or unimpacted area.
Sensitive groups include people most likely to have health problems from breathing smoke, including:
- People with lung diseases (asthma, COPD, bronchitis, emphysema)
- People with respiratory infections
- Persons with, or recovering from, COVID-19
- People with existing heart or circulatory problems
- People with a prior history of heart attack or stroke
- Infants and children under 18
- Older adults (over age 65)
- Pregnant people
- People who smoke
- People with diabetes
For more information and resources on wildfire smoke and your health:
