As Smoke From Wildfires Intensifies, More Air Quality Alerts Are Issued In The West Even For Healthy People
It's getting even harder to see and breathe, as an already difficult wildfire season is being compounded by larger fires than in the past and changing weather patterns. KQED has the Bay Area's air quality report and the Los Angeles Times reports on the dangers firefighters face. And watch satellite maps of the fires' smoke spread across the nation.
The Associated Press:
Hard To See, Hard To Breathe: US West Struggles With Smoke
Smoke from wildfires clogged the sky across the U.S. West, blotting out mountains and city skylines from Oregon to Colorado, delaying flights and forcing authorities to tell even healthy adults in the Seattle area to stay indoors. As large cities dealt with unhealthy air for a second summer in a row, experts warned that it could become more common as the American West faces larger and more destructive wildfires because of heat and drought blamed on climate change. Officials also must prioritize resources during the longer firefighting season, so some blazes may be allowed to burn in unpopulated areas. (Ho and Flaccus, 8/20)
KQED:
Here's Your Current Air Quality Report For The Bay Area
Officials have extended the air quality advisory for the Bay Area through Tuesday, saying they expect winds to blow smoke into the area. To help you stay informed about air quality during the fire season, KQED Science is providing this map showing air quality in your area and what it means for your health, updated hourly. (Ahmed and Hailye, 8/20)
Los Angeles Times:
California's Largest Wildfire Brings New Dangers For Firefighters On Front Lines
After more than three weeks, firefighters Monday continued to struggle against the largest fire in modern California history as the Mendocino Complex blaze prompted more evacuations and posed new dangers to those on the front lines. While battling the fire, five members of Los Angeles Fire Department Strike Team 1880C were injured Sunday. All five suffered minor injuries and were treated and released from area hospitals. (Fry, 8/20)
The Washington Post:
Watch Wildfire Smoke Blanket Most Of The Country In This Time Lapse Of Satellite Data
Public health experts treat wildfire smoke as a pollutant, similar in many ways to ozone or automobile emissions. Breathing it can be hazardous to your health, particularly for sensitive groups like children, the elderly and those with lung or heart disease. Research has shown that even low levels of outdoor air pollution can cause notable deficits in cognitive performance and worker productivity. (Ingraham, 8/20)