Air Quality Advisory Leavenworth, Peshastin, Cashmere, Wenatchee, and E. Wenatchee

The air quality monitors in the Leavenworth and Wenatchee area are currently registering as “Unhealthy for Sensitive People” and “Moderate” due to smoke from the Suncrest Fire. According to Department of Ecology the smoke is expected to continue to disperse throughout the day and re-build tonight, but to lower amounts. The Leavenworth and Wenatchee area is expected to have “Moderate” to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” air quality through Wednesday.

Smoke conditions vary as fire activity and winds change and as smoke moves through the community. Individuals should take the following precautions if you are affected by the smoke:

• Check local air quality reports and listen to news or health warnings for your community.
• Avoid physical exertion.
• Stay indoors and keep indoor air as clean as possible. Take the following steps when indoors:

o Keep windows and doors closed. If there is no air conditioning and it is too hot to keep windows and doors closed, consider leaving the area.

o Run an air conditioner (if you have one), set it to re-circulate and close the fresh-air intake. Make sure to change the filter regularly.

o Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to reduce indoor air pollution.

o Don’t add indoor pollution. Don’t use candles, fireplaces, or gas stoves. Don’t vacuum, because vacuuming stirs up particles already inside your home. Don’t smoke, because smoking puts even more pollution into the air.

o Some room air cleaners can help remove smoke particles indoors. More information on air cleaners is available at: www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/acdsumm.pdf.

• If you must be outdoors during smoke events, wear an N-95 respirator mask.
• If you have asthma or other lung diseases, make sure you follow your doctor’s directions about taking your medicines and follow your asthma management plan. Call your health care provider if your symptoms worsen.

Short-term symptoms from smoke exposure may include dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing, coughing, excessive phlegm, and nausea. For specific medical advice please contact your physician.

Resources

Chelan-Douglas Health District Air Quality and Fires Webpage: www.cdhd.wa.gov

The latest air quality information is available from the Washington Smoke Information site at: wasmoke.blogspot.com.

To get updates on the Suncrest Fire, visit InciWeb at: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4998.