The wildfire smoke conditions have improved toward the coast and will continue to improve across the interior and mountains Friday evening. However, some elevated smoke may not completely clear out until early Saturday, the National Weather Service in Seattle said in a briefing on Friday, Aug. 7, around 2 p.m.
The National Weather Service and Puget Sound Clean Air Agency issued an air quality alert just before 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 5, extending an advisory that air may remain unhealthy to some people through Friday morning. As the air quality conditions have improved, air quality alerts are allowed to expire, according to NWS in Seattle.
"Air quality will improve over coastal areas on Friday with gradual improvement for the interior portions of the area Friday night as stronger west winds bring in cleaner air," the Seattle office said.
Over the weekend, temperatures will gradually return closer to normal, with around a 30% chance of moderate heat risk continuing for the Seattle metro area, including Bremerton, on Saturday, according to NWS in Seattle.
"For this weekend and into next week, westerly winds should push all of the nearby smoke away from the Sound and give us GOOD to MODERATE air quality," according to the Puget Sound Clean Air Energy on Friday.
Visit pscleanair.gov and orcaa.org/news-notices for current conditions, updates, and more information.
More: Burn ban in Kitsap County extended to prohibit all outdoor fires
Air quality alerts are issued when elevated levels of pollutants in the air make it unsafe to be outside.
Particles from wildfire smoke can cause minor symptoms, such as mild eye or throat irritation, or more serious heart and lung issues in some cases, according to the National Weather Service. Wildfire smoke particles are especially dangerous for children, older adults, pregnant people and those with heart or respiratory conditions.
The best way to protect yourself from poor air quality is to stay indoors, especially when the Air Quality Index reaches above 101, which is classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to the Environmental Protection Agency .
Here are some additional steps you can take to protect yourself from poor air quality, including wildfire smoke, according to the Wisconsin DNR:
Keep windows and doors closed.
Run your AC on recirculate with a high-efficiency air filter.
Avoid activities that can increase indoor pollution, like vacuuming, using candles, frying foods or using gas appliances.
Use a damp cloth to trap and clean up dust, instead of a dry cloth or duster, which will only make the dust airborne again.
If you must go outside, wear a N95 mask.
0-50 (Good): Air quality is satisfactory; little or no health risk.
51-100 (Moderate): Generally acceptable, but may affect those unusually sensitive to air pollution.
101-150 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups): Risk increases for children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions.
151-200 (Unhealthy): Everyone may begin to experience health effects; sensitive groups may be more seriously impacted.
201-300 (Very Unhealthy): Emergency conditions; health alert for the entire population.
301-500 (Hazardous): Serious risk for everyone; avoid all outdoor activity.
This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor.
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This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Smoke conditions improve, allowing Kitsap air quality alerts to expire