UPDATE: Smoke’s back, and so is the health warning

| Health | West Seattle news

5:23 PM: That’s the view from Don Armeni Boat Ramp, now that the wildfire smoke has moved back in as predicted. Also just in, this alert from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency:

This is an air quality alert for August 19, 2018, from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and the local health jurisdictions of King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Air pollution is increasing due to wildfire smoke and may cause health problems.

Wildfire smoke is building across the Puget Sound Region. Air quality is becoming UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS in some areas already, and this is expected to spread to the rest of our region tonight or by Monday morning. With winds pushing smoke from British Columbia and the fires in the Cascades in our direction, we expect poor air quality to continue through Wednesday.

Current air quality levels in Darrington are UNHEALTHY for everyone. We could see levels become UNHEALTHY in other parts of our region over the next few days.

Check the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s website for the most recent conditions.

Wildfire smoke can cause a range of health problems:

Trouble breathing
Asthma attack
Coughing
Stinging eyes
Irritated sinuses
Headaches
Chest pain
Fast heartbeat

Sensitive groups should take precautions, including: children, older adults, and people that are pregnant, have heart or lung issues (such as asthma and COPD), or that have had a stroke.

Stay indoors when possible.

Limit your physical activity outdoors, such as running, bicycling, physical labor, and sports.

Close windows in your home, if possible, and keep the indoor air clean. If you have an air conditioner, use the “recirculation” switch. Use an indoor air filter if available.

If you do not have an air conditioner, consider finding a public place with clean, air-conditioned indoor air like a public library or a community center.

Avoid driving, when possible. If you must drive, keep the windows closed. If you use the car’s fan or air conditioning, make sure the system recirculates air from inside the car; don’t pull air from outside.

Schools and daycare providers should consider postponing outdoor activities or moving them indoors.
N95 or N100 rated masks can help protect some people from air pollution. These masks are usually available at hardware and home repair stores. Please check with your doctor to see if this appropriate for you.

For more information on ways to reduce your exposure, see the Washington Department of Health’s Smoke From Fire tips.

As always, check with your health-care provider for more specific questions and concerns.

6:48 PM: The PSCAA has updated the health alert and now says, “Air (pollution) levels are going up more quickly than expected in the Puget Sound Region and we are reaching levels UNHEALTHY for everyone in some areas. We recommend everyone stay indoors when possible.”

Mj August 19, 2018 (5:28 pm)

It sucks, its like being downwind at a campfire without the ability to get away from the smoke!

Karen August 19, 2018 (5:34 pm)

Sigh…guess it is smokation days ahead…

Question Authority August 19, 2018 (6:02 pm)

And the strange thing is people still want to bring children into an inevitable future world destined to become this outside.

WSB August 19, 2018 (6:12 pm)

You can look at it that way, or you can also consider that one (or more) of those/these children might become the leader(s) who save us.

The air in LA when I was a kid decades ago looked like this every day. It got better. Not perfect but better. I don’t think we’re beyond hope yet.
- Kadoo August 19, 2018 (6:33 pm)
  
  Thank you, WSB. We need hope.
- Question Authority August 19, 2018 (6:57 pm)
  
  Just wait until all the permafrost melts and the trapped methane releases, then get back to me about the future and how mankind will save itself when mankind put oneself in this mess. Facts make more sense than grandiose dreams of a future savior of the planet.
  - WSB August 19, 2018 (7:39 pm)
    
    Sorry, no grandiose dreams here, just cup half full vs. cup half empty. Without hope, what in the world are we all doing here? (And of course we don’t have to wait. Those of us who are already here are perfectly capable of taking action too.) – TR
    - Chris d August 19, 2018 (8:47 pm)
      
      Thanks for the positive perspective WSB. Nothing good comes from negativity.
    - Rick August 20, 2018 (7:48 am)
      
      I don’t subscribe to the half empty/half full theory. The cup is just plain ‘ole broken.
    - West Seattle Resident August 20, 2018 (1:25 pm)
      
      http://www.lifeworth.com/deepadaptation.pdf NOT an easy read.
    - WSB August 20, 2018 (1:55 pm)
      
      Thank you. Not easy indeed … but gripping. I still have hope even pondering that perspective … not necessarily hope that nothing will change, of course.
    - Question Authority August 20, 2018 (2:40 pm)
      
      The key word was “strive” but the most realistic was “landslide” out of the findings of the study. Good times for sure await the planet and mankind, not!
  - Jim August 21, 2018 (9:23 am)
    
    Off the deep end…
Still hate QA tho August 19, 2018 (6:57 pm)

I never thought I’d say this, but I completely agree with your point, QA.And yes, WSB, any child might be the environmental prophet we all need, and lead us to a brighter and cleaner future. But, on average, the single most environmentally harmful action a person can commit is having children.
- Still also can't stand QA though August 19, 2018 (7:51 pm)
  
  I, too thought I would never agree with QA, but do on this topic.
  - Question Authority August 19, 2018 (9:13 pm)
    
    Thanks, Unicorn herds and Utopian bliss are obtainable as well with enough wishful thinking, then there’s the realists among us who know better and have a life to live while the goings good. As Jim Morrison of (The Doors) once said “I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m going to get my kicks before the s*** hits the fan”
- Canton August 19, 2018 (9:26 pm)
  
  Don’t underestimate the next gen of kids. As a father of a 4 yr old, they bring a new insight, hope, some must have lost. The wildfires will subside, the smoke will clear, new growth will appear.
- KM August 19, 2018 (10:55 pm)
  
  Adoption is a fantastic option!
Mike August 19, 2018 (9:37 pm)

Yes, we should go back to the good old days with tons of people being infected with Measles and Bubonic Plague. It’s almost as if we have this amazing thing that changed how we live rapidly….what’s it called… oh yes, science.
wscommuter August 19, 2018 (10:49 pm)

It’s interesting how one can choose to conflate information with conclusions. Following QA’s logic, his/her parents should have elected not to have him. Do the math on that one. It is a failure of imagination to be unable to conceive today of the solutions we’ll find tomorrow. The real shame is that this failure leads some (QA, etc.) to conclude they know all now about what the future will hold. What’s sadder is the premise that what we know about science and such today is static and limited. Flat-earthism never really went away, did it?
- Question Authority August 20, 2018 (8:21 am)
  
  Actually I just did the math and the world population has doubled since I was born, and along with it so has the rate of consumption, pollution, rising sea level and global temperatures. The Earth is not getting any bigger or rounder and even though I do all I can to lessen my impact on the world and the climate it’s the other billions and billions and billions of people who don’t which are driving the future so there’s reality for you.
  - Question Question Authority August 20, 2018 (9:37 am)
    
    Well, if you’re going to tell us not to have children, I at least hope you are doing your part by not (what random thing can I tell you not to do?) eating meat ? You don’t eat meat do you? Also horrible for the environment
    - Question Authority August 20, 2018 (1:01 pm)
      
      I never said not to have children, I said I thought it was foolish to have children. And about meat, I’m having some for dinner btw.
    - KM August 20, 2018 (5:13 pm)
      
      Nobody is perfect, and plenty of people are coming around on our climate crisis. The single best thing you can do for the environment is to have no/fewer biological children. Doing so is SIGNIFICANTLY better for our planet than avoiding meat. Beyond that, driving and flying less, eating less meat, washing clothes on cold, etc, are always fantastic. We can always educate ourselves and act upon what’s best for our entire planet and those around us.http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/07/best-way-reduce-your-carbon-footprint-one-government-isn-t-telling-you-about

Graciano August 19, 2018 (6:22 pm)

I was outside most of the day..
Trouble breathing, Coughing, Stinging eyes, Irritated sinuses, Headaches…
It’s whamer of a Deal… LOL

West side Guy August 19, 2018 (6:52 pm)

I figured all the smoke was from HempFest

WSB August 19, 2018 (7:39 pm)

If only.
HarloweRayne Ettevy Thunderword-Cohen August 19, 2018 (10:04 pm)

Don’t I wish.
Dy August 19, 2018 (11:52 pm)

Thank you for making me laugh!!!! I really need that today.love it! Gotta love hemp fest and humor heals.
Rick August 20, 2018 (7:52 am)

I did my part.

M August 19, 2018 (7:00 pm)

Airnow shows the air now in red which is unhealthy for everyone. :-(

rob August 19, 2018 (7:57 pm)

We just have to remember the fires of 1950 it burned for months and over 3.5 million acers. Could you imagine how bad it was then.

Starrynite101 August 20, 2018 (5:21 pm)

Thank you for this. It gives me a little helpful perspective.

TJ August 19, 2018 (8:34 pm)

The pessimism in some of these comments is perplexing. Scary way to live a life that consumed by human guilt. The air in the 1970’s was far worse here overall then it is now. Yes, this smoke is bad, and blame should be on mankind, but only because of terrible forest practices tgat have allowed these fires to explode like they do. Combine that with a passive firefighting effort (the large tanker planes sitting parked) and here we are. Not climate change, not dry summers, not the evils of having children. Such wild claims only create a bigger divide

Karen August 19, 2018 (8:44 pm)

Do you suppose emergency shelters will open do the homeless can get away from the smoke? As bad as it is, imagine having no choice about being in it for the next three days.

Trickycoolj August 19, 2018 (10:07 pm)

Actually this would be nice. Not being able to open the windows without AC is pretty miserable. The only thing I can do so far is work overtime to at least stay in a cool work place but Lack of sleep in a hot house doesn’t really help sustain enough energy to work the OT.

HS August 19, 2018 (9:00 pm)

I will admit to feeling a bizarre urge to heavily stock up on non perishable food. Ahem…. fully expect some kind of report of zombie activity… 😂

Lee August 19, 2018 (9:11 pm)

Question I want to throw out— do humidifiers help with the air quality inside your home (as in, the moisture mixing with the smoke/air particles to absorb them from freely floating in the air)? I am looking at air purifiers, but thought I’d ask this in case humidifiers also have some kind of benefit? Definitely not a scientist here

Question Authority August 19, 2018 (9:38 pm)

Yes, it increases air density and traps the particulate much like if it was to rain. It’s the same method they use to scrub the furnaces exhaust at Nucor Steel and other large industrial projects.
Not sure August 19, 2018 (9:39 pm)

Not sure of the answer to your question but a conversation on KUOW said to make sure you select a California Certified purifier to ensure you’re not getting one that increases ozone levels in your home: https://www.arb.ca.gov

Erithan August 19, 2018 (9:34 pm)

ugh This is awful, especially with people still smoking a crap ton outside my building(bar folks like to tuck up to our garage/window areas). Ordered a rated mask. :/stay as safe as you can everyone!

uncle loco August 20, 2018 (4:30 am)

My lungs have been toughened up from decades of smoking a pack a day. This is no big deal for me.

Elle August 20, 2018 (6:32 am)

According to NPR, we’re currently experiencing many of the effects of over control of forest burning during the 18th and 19th centuries. They said there’s too much natural kindling in the forests worldwide as a result. Forest management is slowly changing their methods to include bettter managed burns. (I’m thinking similar to decades of poor land management before the dust bowl disaster)They said it’ll take 5 or 6 years before they see results, and although it won’t fix the whole problem, it will make it better in a big way.This was on KUOW 92.5

dsa August 20, 2018 (11:05 am)

So ELLE, did NPR explain just who was doing the “control of forest burning during the 18th and 19th centuries”? Let’s pick a date and place, say 1790 in British Columbia.
KM August 20, 2018 (11:44 am)

18th and 19th century? I was picturing more the 80s and 90s…

anonyme August 20, 2018 (6:49 am)

Completely agree with Question Authority. And now Trump is eliminating emissions regulations on coal plants. Fires? Unbreathable air? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Add to that the fact that humans for some years now have stripped the earth of recoverable resources at earlier dates each year (see Earth Overshoot Day) and any reasonable mind would understand that humans are toast. Literally. Believe all you want in saviours, but such beliefs are part of the problem – not the solution. Earth will survive; humans will not. The glass is neither half full nor half empty. It’s only got a few drops left, and we’re using it to put out fires.

Canton August 20, 2018 (8:17 am)

Thanks for the tip. My daughter and I, will start our doomsday looting, this evening after dinner.
- Jen August 20, 2018 (11:15 am)
  
  Thank you, Canton. I needed this.
Elton August 22, 2018 (10:56 pm)

I don’t know why everything has to be extremes with you disciples of QA. Very close minded thinking. It’s not just a binary matter of consimption because renewable food sources and energy sources and other green technologies are growing very much in popularity and affordability. We’ve made a lot of great strides and still have many more to go. It’s not about blind faith in some child to save us all, it’s about teaching our children to do the right things so that we reach a critical mass of people to do the right things with our planet. The people out there who suck are going to keep having kids, so there has to be some balancing out or else they’ll be the ones to inherit this planet. The intro to Idiocracy really says it all :p

sbre August 20, 2018 (7:16 am)

It could always be worse:Where my folks live in the foothills/Gold Rush area of north-central California, they couldn’t see the tops of the telephone poles on their block for almost 3 weeks, and had to wash the ash from their porches, sidewalks, vehicles, etc.

barbara s spector August 20, 2018 (7:23 am)

hahahaha!

Kate August 20, 2018 (12:53 pm)

Well, the smoke and heat this summer (and last summer) is costing me thousands of dollars in lost revenue from outdoor selling opportunities at Pike Place Market and craft fairs. It will also rear it’s ugly head again in the form of a respiratory/sinus/bronchial infection this fall/winter which will also cause me to lose income. I better get looking for another source of income for the summers because I don’t think this problem will be solved anytime soon…. And how is this going to effect the respiratory systems of the wildlife and homeless population? If this problem persists, how will it effect the Pacific Northwest’s tourism industry? Scary stuff.

Susan August 20, 2018 (3:18 pm)

There are daily posts and announcements about the unhealthy air, but no formal burn ban has been imposed, as far as I can tell. It appears that the logic along the beach is, “There’s no burn ban, so it’s fine to have beach fires.” I see several every evening along Fauntleroy Cove. I guess that inconvenience must be only for Others?

Susan August 20, 2018 (4:13 pm)

I take it back! Just saw a Stage I burn ban posted. Let’s hope that people heed it!

MJ August 20, 2018 (3:46 pm)

And the Trump administration is reducing fossil fuel regulations and relaxing the MPG requirement on new vehicles! I am not a big fan of big government, however when science has clearly documented the environmental affect of burning fossil fuels the warnings need to be heeded.

flimflam August 20, 2018 (4:20 pm)

so irrationally mad at Canada for ruining another summers end….i know we have fires too, but the ones in BC are killing us.

Question Authority August 20, 2018 (5:08 pm)

Really? Canada purposely lights all those fires you speak of just to ruin our Summer. In addition how dare they get between us and driving to Alaska, the nerve!
- flimflam August 20, 2018 (8:05 pm)
  
  yep, that’s exactly what i said. good job.
- Rebel Medium August 20, 2018 (11:29 pm)
  
  I only wish your parents hadn’t “foolishly” decided to have children….then I wouldn’t be reading your pessimistic, negative comments! I’m choking on your BS…it’s actually worse than the air quality around here!!

neighbor August 20, 2018 (10:23 pm)

some good reading here: http://osupress.oregonstate.edu/book/indians-fire-and-land-in-pacific-northwest/intro

waikikigirl August 21, 2018 (5:21 am)

@Neighbor, Yes very good reading,thank you.I’ve always thought these “forest” fires were Mother Natures way of renewing and replenishing earth with new growth from the destruction…but does she have to get so close to peoples homes, or maybe she’s trying to say “enough is enough”?!

Sorry, comment time is over.