EPA Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Washington Reservations
Publilshed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10, has issued an Air Quality Advisory through midnight Thursday for Indian Reservations in Western Washington due to smoke from fires in the Cascade Mountains.
Reservations included in the advisory are the Nooksak, S’Klallam, Suquamish, Nisqually, Chehalis, Squaxin, Skokomish, Puyallup, Muckleshoot, Tulalip, Stillaguamish, Sauk-Suiattle, Upper Skagit, and Lummi Reservations.
Smoke levels may be variable, so check current air quality conditions at https://fire.airnow.gov/. Take advantage of better air quality for exercise or outdoor activities. As pollution levels increase, the EPA recommends that all residents begin to restrict activity and use N95 masks. To keep levels of smoke as low as possible indoors, create a clean room. For more safety tips visit https://www.airnow.gov/wildfires/when-smoke-is-in-the-air/.
People who are at greater risk from the effects of smoke include those with heart disease or lung disease, older adults, children, and pregnant people. These sensitive groups should avoid outdoor exertion and minimize exposure to smoke as much as possible.
For current air quality advisory/burn ban status on tribal lands, please call the EPA FARR Hotline at 1-800-424-4372, or visit https://www.epa.gov/farr/burn-bans-indian-reservations-id-or-and-wa#current-bans.
For burning restrictions in areas outside reservation boundaries, please contact your local clean air agency or fire department.
For smoke and fire information in Washington visit https://enviwa.ecology.wa.gov/home/text/426#BurnBans.
Read the full article at: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-issues-air-quality-advisory-western-washington-reservations-0
