Wildfires in central Washington causing smoky skies and poor air quality across the region

SPOKANE, Wash. — Wildfires burning in central Washington are producing smoke causing poor air quality across the state and dangerous health conditions on Thursday.

According to Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency, Thursday’s air quality in Spokane is rated at 152 on a scale of 0 to 500.

This rating means the air outside is unhealthy for all groups and that “everyone may begin to experience health effects.” Members of more sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning due to the hazy, dry and warm weather increasing wildfire activity and smoke in the region.

4 News Now issued a Weather Alert Day on Thursday due to smoke from the “Labor Mountain” and “Lower Sugarloaf” wildfires burning near Wenatchee and brining extra smoke into the air from Moses Lake to Spokane.

Those who are in sensitive groups should take extra precautions and try to avoid breathing in the smoky air.

Sensitive groups include:

Those with lung diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including bronchitis and emphysema.Those with respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, acute bronchitis, bronchiolitis, colds, or flu.Those with existing heart or circulatory problems, such as dysrhythmias, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and angina.Those with a prior history of heart attack or stroke.Infants and children under 18 because their lungs and airways are still developing and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults.Adults over age 65 because they are more likely to have unrecognized heart or lung diseases.Pregnant women because both the mother and fetus are at increased risk of health effects.Smokers because they are more likely to already have lower lung function and lung diseases.People with low socioeconomic status because they are more likely to have higher exposures and less likely to have access to healthcare.

Friday’s forecast in Spokane and the surrounding area calls for a 10-degree drop in temperature with lingering smoke. Rain next week is expected to alleviate the hazy conditions.