Haze and poor air quality remain throughout the Portland-Vancouver area Tuesday, with conditions worsening to the point where everyone is being told to stay indoors.
According to the Washington Smoke Information blog, the air in Vancouver is unhealthy.
An unhealthy designation means everyone, especially sensitive groups, should limit any time spent outdoors, avoid strenuous activities outdoors and “choose light indoor activities.”
Surrounding communities are experiencing similar levels of haze. Yacolt’s air quality is listed as unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Those groups include people with asthma, diabetes, heart and lung conditions, respiratory illnesses and colds, stroke survivors, children under 18, adults over 65 and pregnant women.
Symptoms from the haze can include watery or dry eyes, coughing and wheezing, throat and sinus irritation, shortness of breath, headaches, irregular heartbeat and chest pain. Officials warn people who start to experience serious symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.
The Southwest Clean Air Agency and Washington State Department of Ecology have extended an air quality advisory that was set to remain in effect until noon Wednesday but will now expire at 5 p.m. the same day for Clark County and other nearby counties.
“(A)ir quality levels can be expected to oscillate between unhealthy and moderate. Smoke may not affect all areas at all times,” according to the advisory.
In addition to the smoke, the next two days are expected to be hot, with temperatures climbing into the low 90s. Things will start to cool off Thursday, when the high is forecasted to reach 78.
A northeasterly wind overhead is carrying the particulates from wildfires in British Columbia, Canada and Washington, according to a National Weather Service forecast discussion.
“A significant pattern change develops when (stronger winds) arrive Wednesday night and Thursday, with much cooler temperatures Thursday and continuing through the upcoming weekend,” the discussion says.
