Kittitas County, WA – 08/13/2018 – As of 11:00 AM today, the Washington State Department of Ecology’s (Ecology) air monitor showed “Unhealthy” as the latest reading for Kittitas County’s air quality rating.
According to information from wasmoke.blogspot.com “monitors are showing unhealthy to very unhealthy air quality from Wenatchee to Spokane, with no clearing expected in the near-term forecast. Light winds from the north are expected to continue throughout the day, which means residents in Yakima, Benton, and Franklin counties could see conditions worsen to moderate to unhealthy.” Ecology has issued an Air Quality Alert, which is in effect until noon on Wednesday, August 15.
Please take necessary steps to avoid negative health effects. Air quality information can be accessed at any time via the Washington Air Quality Advisory (WAQA) online https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/. WAQA is a tool that measures the air quality with categories ranging from “good” to “hazardous” air. Additional resources include the following:
- Washington Smoke Blog https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ contains information about smoke as well as active wildfires.
- National Weather Service https://www.weather.gov/ has weather related alerts, including air quality.
- Washington State Department of Health’s Wildfire Smoke page https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/AirQuality/SmokeFromFires/WildfireSmokeexplains the harm of wildfire smoke.
Residents should avoid outdoor exposure to unhealthy air. Attached is the “Air Pollution and School Activities” table for specific recommendations based on air quality conditions. However, KCPHD does have face masks available. For more information about wildfire smoke and face masks, please visit https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/334-353.pdf.
For more information about health concerns relating to air quality or informational resources, please contact KCPHD at (509)-962-7515.
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at https://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
