Wildfire Smoke, Air Quality & Local Action
Written by Elizabeth Walker, PhD
August 13th, 2021
Most of Okanogan County has been engulfed in smoke since late June when BC fires started up. We now have our own set of local wildfires, and Winthrop is getting national and global attention for having some of the worst air quality in the world this month. 300, 400, 500+ AQI. Anything over 250 is considered hazardous to our health, and anyone suffering through this knows how hard it can feel.
This isn’t the kind of attention anyone wants.
Wildfires and smoke aren’t going away for the foreseeable future, and they are likely to get worse before they get better.
Research on Wildfire Smoke and Health
Research continues to reveal that wildfire smoke is detrimental to health at lower exposures and contributes to more types of disease than previously appreciated. The lung and heart have long been identified as targets for the particular matter (PM2.5) found in smoke, but recent evidence has now implicated PM2.5 in diseases of the skin, nervous system, liver, kidney, immune system, as well as low birth weight for exposed pregnant women. Alarmingly during the pandemic, correlations between exposure to wildfire smoke and increased cases of Covid-19 have been observed; this is biologically plausible as smoke is known to increase susceptibility to respiratory infection. Smoke-induced stress from disrupted daily routines, inhibited ability to be outdoors, and social isolation is compounded by evacuation notices, visible flames, and the hypervigilance of keeping tabs on fire activity when wildfires are local. Mental health and wellbeing are very much at risk due to smoke and fires.
In Okanogan County, it is also important to consider that these large annual doses of wildfire smoke come on top of poor winter air quality due to woodsmoke, localized exposures from outdoor burning, and smoke from prescribed fire necessary to restore forest health and prevent catastrophic wildfire. Even before you include wildfire smoke, our region has been identified by the Washington Department of Ecology as an “area of concern” for our persistent PM2.5 levels that threaten to violate the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS).
Intense periods of unhealthy air quality due to wildfire smoke – such as repeatedly experienced in Okanogan County over the last 10 years - are increasingly appreciated as disasters, with specific actions that can be taken towards preparedness, response and recovery. The good news: we know how to do this, and we have a committed and growing cadre of professionals and organizations helping with disaster preparedness and response. The CHI and its members will recognize ourselves in playing a role, both individually and organizationally. If you are interested in participating in wildfire smoke readiness, or have questions, please contact Liz Walker at Clean Air Methow.
Response (steps to take now):
Ensure N95 masks are widely available. Distribute at places where people already are – fire information boards, health clinics, post offices – as well as town halls and county public health. Okanogan County Public Health has a large supply.
Fit and comfort are critical. A full seal around the mask’s edge must be created for protection.
For the first time, masking in wildfire smoke is now recommended for children. KN95s come in smaller sizes and are more likely to achieve the necessary fit.
Promote the importance of clean indoor air. Without active filtration in wildfire smoke, indoor air is frequently as bad as outdoor air.
Help create equitable access to clean indoor air. For example…
Ensure vulnerable populations, especially households with children, those with underlying health conditions, or those on fixed or limited incomes – have the ability to create clean indoor air. Box-fan air cleaners can be built for about $45; Room One in Twisp has a box-fan air cleaner distribution program. More of these programs are needed to reach everyone in the community.
Circulate information on how to create a “clean room” indoors.
As community health professionals, model healthy behavior.
Ensure your work buildings and home have clean indoor air. Upgrade HVAC systems with the highest-rated MERV filter they can handle, use or supplement with HEPA air purifiers or DIY box-fan air cleaners as necessary.
Wear a N95 mask when the AQI exceeds 150 (or lower!)
Ask patients and clients how wildfire smoke is impacting them, and provide information and resources to help protect physical and mental health.
Recovery (what comes next)
Debrief, collect information from the community, and analyze successes and needs
Ex. KN95s in small sizes were not available this year through Okanogan public health and challenging to find online. Can we get these for next year?
Develop and implement a comprehensive plan to become a “smoke-ready community” that identifies and helps support and fund key partners to carry out their specific roles.
Modeled and usefully piggy-backed onto efforts to become “fire-wise” or “wildfire-ready”, smoke ready communities 1) know their sources of air pollution, 2) are actively working to reduce them, and 3) have resources to protect their vulnerable community members
Smoke-readiness incorporates not only wildfire smoke disasters, but also long-term strategies to reduce exposure to air pollution. This includes exposure-reduction interventions such as mask-wearing and ensuring clean indoor air, AND improving air quality wherever possible such as through reduction of outdoor burning and decreasing woodsmoke from home-heating. Diverse partners will include those focused on air quality, county health, social and health services, emergency/disaster response, municipalities, those involved in fire-wise efforts, etc…
Preparedness (doing it better next time):
Broadly advertise and support community partners in “Smoke-ready week,” the second week of June to encourage preparedness.
Clean Air Methow has developed a “smoke-ready checklist” that is available for anyone’s use and dissemination online, in print, or pdf.
Coordinate partner meetings ahead of smoke season to ensure awareness of information, resources, and a communication plan.
Local non-profit projects dedicated to smoke-readiness
