Air apparent: wildfire smoke shrouds region

For months, efforts have been ongoing to turn the corner on the COVID-19 pandemic.

But last weekend one could hardly see around corners as thick wildfire smoke from blazes in eastern Washington and Oregon came north to the Puget Sound region, hovering over La Conner and Skagit County, and pushing air quality to dangerous levels.

The local Air Quality Index (AQI) topped 250 on Sunday, the afternoon sun more resembling the moon as it tried shining through a heavy orange blanket of choking haze.

The popular La Conner boardwalk by then was uncharacteristically quiet for a September weekend, as public officials advised the public to remain indoors as much as possible.

Similar conditions had prevailed on Saturday, yet downtown La Conner bustled. The reason: Air quality was worse elsewhere.

Pauline Server, owner of the Ramblin’ Rose store on First Street, among many who posted comments and photos on social media over the weekend, said she had customers tell her they had escaped to La Conner to flee fouler air in the Seattle area.

By Sunday, Server was feeling the impact of the smoky air.

“I couldn’t stand my eyes burning,” she said, “so I had to close early.”

Air quality in La Conner worsened as the weekend progressed.

“I watched some folks sitting under the bridge having lunch, watching the smoky scenery,” posted Roxane Wilbur. “I was almost choking watching them breathe in the particulates.”

By 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, the AQI level here had reached 256. By comparison, anything over 100 is considered unhealthy air quality.

AQI levels reflect the amount of pollutants in the air. Wildfire smoke, according to the Northwest Clean Air Agency, can cause coughing and wheezing, watery or dry eyes, phlegm, throat and sinus irritation, headaches, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat and chest pain.

The public was advised last weekend to minimize time outdoors and choose less strenuous activities – walking rather than running, for instance – while outside.

People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and teens were counseled to be even more cautious about spending time outdoors during periods of extremely poor air quality.

Despite rainfall Monday afternoon, the Northwest Clean Air Agency rated air quality here Tuesday morning as very unhealthy, with the AQI flirting with the 200 mark, and all persons were advised to cut back on outdoor activities.

The forecast for Wednesday morning indicated further slight improvement: unhealthy conditions for the general population. Unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups was predicted for Thursday.

Moderate air quality conditions are anticipated Friday and Saturday.