GRANT COUNTY, WA – Grant County Health District (GCHD) is issuing the following alert due to worsening air quality across Grant County. Current air quality conditions in Grant County range from Moderate to Unhealthy, with the poorest conditions in Moses Lake. 

Poor air quality conditions are expected to continue as wildfires in Washington and neighboring states continue to affect the region. The Washington Department of Ecology has also issued alerts for Yakima, Kittitas, Stevens, Lincoln, and Spokane counties.

Current Recommendations

When air quality is Unhealthy, everyone should reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air. 

Hot temperatures will increase the risk of heat-related illnesses. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Smoke Exposure

Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gases and fine particles. It can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Smoke can be inhaled deep into your lungs and can sometimes get into your bloodstream. This makes it harder to breathe and may worsen other chronic health conditions.

Sensitive Groups

Wildfire smoke can be dangerous to everyone, but some groups are at higher risk. High-risk (sensitive) groups include:

• People with asthma and other lung diseases
• People 65 years or older
• Pregnant People
• Infants
• Children and youth 

Stay Safe

To reduce the risks of wildfire smoke, GCHD recommends the following:

• Check air quality conditions daily. 
  • Follow health recommendations found on the Air Quality Index.
• Keep indoor air as clean as possible. 
  • Minimize the use of indoor air pollutants such as candles, incense, and wood-burning stoves.
  • Create a clean air room. 
• Go to a clean air shelter if you cannot keep indoor air clean. 
  • Most NCW libraries operate as a clean air shelter during normal business hours. 
• Consider using filters with a MERV-13 rating or higher. 
  • MERV-13 filters are best for filtering the particulates in wildfire smoke but may not be compatible with all HVAC systems. It is best to consult your system’s manual or an HVAC professional before making changes. 
    • Use “Recirculate” and “On” rather than “Auto” settings. 
    • You can also use a HEPA portable indoor air cleaner in one or more rooms or make your own low-cost air filter by following these instructions. 
• Check on your loved ones and neighbors who are at high risk when air quality is unhealthy for extended periods of time. 
• If you have asthma or other lung-related illnesses, talk to your doctor about medication and a respiratory management plan.

If You Must Be Outside

 An N95 mask may provide some protection against wildfire smoke. A list of locations in Grant County with free N95 masks can be found here. 

View this fact sheet to ensure you are wearing your mask correctly. A dust or surgical mask will NOT protect you from the fine particles found in wildfire smoke.

If you must drive, keep the windows closed. Use the vehicle air conditioner and set filtration to recirculate. Most vehicles can recirculate the inside air which will help keep the smoky air out. You may have to shift from recirculating air to drawing in fresh air periodically. Smoke can also impact visibility.

Resources

• Wildfires & Smoke | Grant County Health District, WA
• WA Department of Health (DOH) Smoke & Wildfires page.
• Washington Children and Youth Activities Guide for Air Quality

For all media inquiries, contact Lexi Smith, GCHD Public Information Officer at (509) 770-4194 or lsmith@granthealth.org.