Air quality Seattle alert as wildfire smoke hits Puget Sound
Air quality Seattle residents face an official alert after the Washington State Department of Ecology warned of wildfire smoke through Wednesday afternoon across King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish and Thurston counties. Levels may turn unhealthy Tuesday, with clearer air expected Friday as onshore winds return.
Key Takeaways
- Ecology issued an alert for King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, and Thurston counties through 5 p.m. Wednesday.
- Forecasters expect the worst air Tuesday, possibly unhealthy for everyone.
- Smoke is arriving from Eastern Washington wildfires and British Columbia.
- Onshore winds should bring cleaner air by Friday.
- Sensitive groups should limit outdoor time and consider N-95 masks.
Why is air quality Seattle under an alert right now?
The Washington State Department of Ecology issued the alert Monday as haze settled over the region. According to KOMO News, wildfires across Washington and Canada have cast a wide haze over the Seattle skyline.
Graeme Carvlin of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency said smoke overhead could mix down to ground level Monday afternoon, with more arriving overnight. He said Monday looked moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups, while Tuesday was more likely to reach unhealthy for sensitive groups to unhealthy for everyone.
Anna Lindeman of the National Weather Service in Seattle said Western Washington is being hit from two sides: Eastern Washington fires and fires in British Columbia. In the Spokane area, three fast-moving fires burned more than 7,000 acres, destroyed at least 700 structures, and forced about 65,000 people to evacuate. Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency Saturday. The Little Giant Fire has also burned about 50,000 acres in the Cascades northwest of Leavenworth.
Who should take extra care when the smoke builds?
University of Washington environmental chemistry professor Dan Jaffe said people with health concerns should reduce outdoor exposure and use indoor air filtration. If air reaches orange or red levels, he encourages N-95 masks for more than 10 or 15 minutes outside and said the next few days will be the worst in Seattle.
Lindeman warned that smoke combined with highs near 90 degrees Wednesday and Thursday in Seattle can make outdoor activity harder, especially for infants, children, people over 65, pregnant people, and those with heart or lung disease. KUOW reported that fine particles in wildfire smoke can lodge deep in the lungs, and University of Washington scientist Kristie Ebi said that smoke can be three to 10 times more toxic than particulate matter from vehicle tailpipes.
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When will air quality Seattle improve again?
Ecology lead air quality forecaster Beth Friedman said it remains uncertain how much smoke will mix to the surface and advised closing windows. The Department of Ecology anticipated cleaner air by Friday with help from onshore winds, a timeline Lindeman also cited.
Residents who need relief should check local fire and health departments for clean-air shelters. Cities including Federal Way are opening shelters, and a statewide list is available through 211.org. Close windows when possible, filter indoor air if you can, and avoid strenuous outdoor activity while levels stay unhealthy.