Smoke from regional wildfires is settling in over Seattle this week, creating air quality levels that are deemed “unhealthy for sensitive groups”. While winds are expected to help clean the air later today and tomorrow, smoke from BC and the Cascades is currently lingering over the Puget Sound.
“Thankfully, we don’t expect this to last as long as it did last summer,” the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency said in statement.
The agency recommends that those with heart or lung disease, pregnant people, children, and people over 65 should limit their time outdoors until the air quality improves. Wildfire smoke can cause health problems such as chest pain, fast heartbeat, coughing, stinging eyes and headaches.
As a reminder, a fire safety burn ban is in effect for the entire state, as 96 percent of Washington is experiencing drought-like conditions.
To monitor the air quality, visit the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency website for an updated report.
Photo: Satellite image of active fires from Washington Department of Ecology, issued Monday, August 13.Â