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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Air quality alert in effect for Northwest

Several government agencies that monitor air quality and weather have issued a region-wide air quality alert because of the amount of wildfire smoke hovering in the sky and along the ground. “Air quality is currently in the unhealthy category and is forecast to continue to range from unhealthy to hazardous in the next few days,” the National Weather Service in Spokane said this morning in its alert. The alert is in effect at least until Thursday from the Cascade crest in Washington and Oregon eastward into Idaho and northwest Montana. In Spokane, the air quality index was at 117 earlier today. That is in the category of unhealthy air for persons with health issues. By 11:20 a.m., air quality went to the moderate category at 95 on the index, which is just below the threshold of 100 for the category of unhealthy for sensitive persons. By 2:20 p.m., air quality went to 85 on the index. However, air quality in the region was as bad as 174 on the index last Friday, which is unhealthy for everyone. Air quality was better on Saturday and Sunday, but began to worsen starting on late Sunday afternoon, according to monitors. Air quality is varying by location with some spots showing more pollution and others less. Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint had air quality readings in the moderate category late this morning. Wood smoke is made up of very small particles that can be trapped deep within the lungs. Persons are advised not to exercise and to curtail time outdoors during periods of hazardous air quality. “Smoke from wildfires is especially harmful for those with health conditions like asthma. We recommend that people who are sensitive to poor air quality limit their time outdoors, follow their breathing management plans, keep medications on hand and contact their health provider if necessary,” said Dr. Joel McCullough, Spokane Regional Health District officer, in a news release. Officials said that as winds die down, the concentration of smoke goes up. Temperature inversions at night typically help to concentrate smoke so that morning hours are more hazardous than afternoon, depending on winds. If it smells smoky, it’s probably best to refrain from activity that raises the heart rate and breathing. Persons with health issues may want to contact their health providers. Paper dust masks offer no protection since smoke particles can pass between the fibers. Symptoms that arise from smoke pollution are coughing, trouble breathing, stinging eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose, irritated sinuses, chest pain, headache, asthma attack, tiredness and fast heart beat.