Central Washington wildfires affect air quality in Clark County
Clark County residents may have caught a whiff of smoke in the air Monday morning, but air quality levels here remain safe.
Smoke from several wildfires that started Sunday east of the Cascade Range made its way to Southwest Washington over the weekend, moving air quality levels for much of the county from good to moderate.
Air quality monitoring stations at the Vancouver waterfront, Main Street, Fort Vancouver Way, Fourth Plain Boulevard and Mountain View High School on Monday morning showed Air Quality Index levels ranging from 72 to 77, well within the 51 to 100 range for moderate air quality. At the Yacolt station, the index was 66. Index levels above 100 are considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
The air quality index measures the presence of major air pollutants in the atmosphere, primarily ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Wildfire smoke can carry health risks because it's comprised of small particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or smaller, known as PM 2.5, along with liquid droplets suspended in the air.
Because these particles are microscopic, they can bypass the respiratory system's natural defenses and penetrate deep into the lungs. Even short-term exposure can cause coughing and wheezing and aggravate existing conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to small particulate pollution has also been linked to increased risks of heart attack and stroke. Individuals most at risk are children, older adults, pregnant individuals and those with pre-existing heart or lung diseases.
A fire on the Yakama Nation Reservation broke out Sunday south of Toppenish and is now just over 46 acres while the Twin Sisters Fire in Walla Walla County, which also broke out Sunday, has grown to over 3,600 acres. The third fire to start Sunday, this one in the Juniper Dunes area, is about 600 acres.
Historically low snowpack levels and an ongoing drought led state officials to restrict use of Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife-managed lands in Eastern Washington starting Monday, about two weeks earlier than in recent years. The earlier restrictions are meant to reduce the risk of wildfire and keep shared lands safe for residents and wildlife.
Fires or campfires, including those in fire rings, are prohibited although personal camp stoves and lanterns fueled by propane, liquid petroleum, or liquid petroleum gas are allowed.
Other restricted activities include welding and operating chainsaws, including the use of an acetylene torch or other open flame; operating a motor vehicle away from developed roads; discharging firearms for target shooting or other purposes, aside from lawful hunting. Target shooting is permitted only during certain hours at two Fish & Wildlife ranges.
Parking is permitted within designated parking areas, including developed campgrounds and trailheads, and in areas without vegetation that are within 10 feet of roadways.
This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation. Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj.
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