Wildfire Smoke
Exposure to air pollutants in wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs, cause inflammation, alter immune function, and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections, likely including COVID-19.
Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles from burning trees and plants, buildings, and other material. Wildfire smoke can make anyone sick, but people with asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or heart disease, and children, pregnant women, and responders are especially at risk.
Be ready to protect yourself against smoke and ash before, during, and after a wildfire.
Resources
- COVID-19 and Wildfire Smoke Resources
- Check local air quality at Washington Air Quality Advisory Map or by entering desired zip code area at AirNow.
- Labor & Industries Wildfire Smoke
- Wildfire Smoke Information from Washington Department of Health Smoke From Fires
- Children and Wildfire Smoke Wildfire Smoke and Children
- Washington Air Quality Guide for School & Child Care Activities A Guide to help assess if outdoor activities are safe for children based on current air conditions.
How to Build a DIY Smoke Filter With a Box Fan
https://deohs.washington.edu/edge/blog/how-make-box-fan-filter-clean-indoor-air-smoke
Resources: Department of Ecology Resources
- Wildfire smoke information
- Burn bans
- Washington Air Monitoring Network (current and forecast air quality conditions)
- Washington clean air agencies
- Wood stoves
- Outdoor and residential burning
- Agricultural burning
- Report illegal burning
Mobile Apps
Additional Resources
- Check air quality at Washington Air Quality Advisory Map or by entering desired zip code area at AirNow.
- Check wildfire locations on the Washington Smoke Information website.
- Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) serves Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties. ORCAA is one of seven such regional air pollution control agencies in Washington state.
- Map of Current fires: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov
- Fire danger: https://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/protection/firedanger/
- Smoke: https://tools.airfire.org/airtools/v1/pnw-smoke.html?lat=47.3&lng=-120&zoom=7
- Learn how to Prepare your Home: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Preparing-homes-for-wildfire
- WA DOH Smoke From Wildfires Toolkit