Columbia County "Very Unhealthy" on U.S. Air Quality Index

DAYTON—In the aftermath of the Flood of 2020, and during the COVID-19 shutdown, Columbia County Commissioner Mike Talbott expressed the following sentiment.

“All we need now is a trifecta.”

Talbott was referring to the addition of wildfire to the year’s challenges.

Columbia County witnessed its first fire of the season this month; the Rattlesnake Fire, thirteen miles southeast of Dayton, burned roughly 475 acres in the Umatilla National Forest. Emergency Management Director Ashley Strickland said conditions are just right to make this a prime time for wildfire.

Wildfires cause other problems beyond property damage.

Dense smoke from the many fires burning throughout the western states settled into the Touchet River Valley last weekend. The air quality was listed as Hazardous on the Washington Air Quality Advisory Index during the weekend. On Monday morning, it was listed as Very Unhealthy on the same index.

The smoke is not expected to clear until the end of this week.

Particulate matter from smoke can exacerbate health problems.

Dayton resident Carol Lane has asthma. She and her friends canceled a camping trip because of the smoke, and she is doing the right thing by staying inside her home.

Particle pollution from smoke is especially dangerous for people who have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory infections, heart or circulatory problems, children under the age of 18, pregnant women, smokers, people with diabetes, and people recovering from COVID-19.

Dayton General Hospital Cardiopulmonary Department Manager Tom Anderson said wildfires burn everything in their path.

“All those power lines have cables coated with plastics and rubbers that emit cancer-causing agents when burned. As do all the buildings that get burned to the ground,” said Anderson.

Anderson said he sees lots of future business for the Cardiopulmonary Department. Last weekend, he saw a person driving with their window down while smoking a cigarette.

“Please don’t let my business be you and your family,” he cautioned. “If you are concerned, talk to your provider. Take steps to limit your time outdoors.”

Here are some tips from the Washington State Department of Ecology:

If you are indoors:

• Keep indoor air as clean as possible.

• Make a low-cost clean air fan. This simple fan-filter combination can reduce tiny, harmful particles in polluted air. Change the filter when it gets dirty. There is a tutorial on the D.O.E website at Ecology.wa.gov

• Keep windows and doors closed. Blow a fan directly on you to keep cool. Fans cool people, not rooms.

• Check current air quality regularly. Air quality conditions can change quickly. Open your windows for fresh air when air quality gets better.

• Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your furnace to reduce indoor air pollution. Change the filter when it gets dirty.

• Set your air conditioner on recirculate so dirty air doesn’t come inside.

• Air purifying machines may help remove smoke particles indoors, but they don’t remove gases and odors.

• Don’t add more air pollution:  Avoid smoking, using a wood stove or fireplace, burning candles or incense, or vacuuming.

• Reduce physical activity inside when air quality outside is at or above the “unhealthy” category.

• Leave the area affected by wildfire smoke if you can’t keep the indoor air clean.

If you are outdoors:

• Check current air quality regularly. Air quality conditions can change quickly.

• The best respiratory protection is to wear an N95 or N100 mask. However, these are in short supply because of COVID-19, and they need to be saved for medical workers. A paper mask, dust mask, or cloth mask will help a little bit, but won’t filter out fine particles or hazardous gases in smoke.

The Columbia County Health System is working with Columbia County Emergency Management Services to distribute KN95 masks to the public. KN95 masks provide 95% protection against particles greater than 0.3 cm in diameter. Residents can obtain these masks from the County Public Health Department at: (509) 382-2181, or from the Waitsburg Clinic at: (509) 337-6311, or from the Columbia County Family Clinic at: (509) 382-3200.