Smoke is an Uninvited Guest to our Valley
by Loni Rahm
Air quality must be pretty bad if the Chelan Public Library has to put masks on its iconic bronze book-reading children on the front steps. In reality, the gesture actually serves several important purposes.
The first is to remind people that free masks are available at the library. The second is to reinforce the message that children, with their developing lungs, are particularly vulnerable to smoke and ash particles and should be kept inside. The third, and possibly most compelling message they are sending, is that we must retain our sense of humor in the face of a less than desirable situation.
A look at the current PNW Smoke Map (below) puts the smoke we are experiencing into perspective. There are currently no fires in close proximity to Chelan (the closest – in the Entiat Valley to the south and the Methow Valley to the north – are each well over 10 air miles away). We are, however, attracting smoke from dozens of fires throughout the state and the region – including numerous fires in British Columbia – and beyond. Far beyond.
Earlier this month, one meteorologist reported that smoke was drifting into the Pacific Northwest from fires in Siberia. Another meteorologist, more recently indicated we were receiving smoke from “across the pond” (the U.K.). Our neighbors in California, Oregon, Idaho, British Columbia, Montana and Colorado are registering similar smokey conditions from a number of wildfires in their states, which the shifting winds displace into Washington.
Smoke is also no respecter of population. It apparently likes cities as well as rural locations. I received a picture yesterday from my daughter Kacie, who lives in Seattle. She and some work colleagues were out on an evening boat cruise on Lake Union. At that particular time, smoke was obliterating cross-lake visibility.
Regardless of where the smoke is coming from and why it has selected the Lake Chelan Valley as one of its summer hang-outs this year, we are encouraged not to take it personally. But we should, absolutely, take it seriously.
Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory illnesses should be particularly cautious. Suggestions include:
- Limit your exposure to smoke by closing windows and doors (at home and in the car)
- Change your HVAC filter so you aren’t recycling dust and ash within your house
- Wear a mask during extended or strenuous periods of time outdoors
- Don’t add to indoor pollution through the use of food boilers, candles, incense, fireplaces, or gas stoves
- Don’t vacuum unless your vacuum has a HEPA filter, because vacuuming stirs up particles already inside your home
- Don’t smoke – smoking puts even more pollution into the air
- Stay hydrated
Free masks are available at the Chelan & Manson Libraries, Post Offices, and Fire Stations. They are also available at the Chelan & Manson Chamber of Commerce Offices and at medical facilities and clinics throughout the valley.
Fire officials warn the smoke will likely be part of our environment for several more weeks. Numerous organizations and agencies have websites with valuable information resources about staying healthy in and around smoke. We’ve listed a few of them below:
