Millions of Americans are in the path of a massive air quality emergency blanketing several US states this week.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued air quality alerts for large portions of Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington state, urging residents to take action as dangerous wildfires rage across the Pacific Northwest this week.
At least 6,000 people in central and eastern Oregon received a ‘Go Now!’ evacuation order Tuesday night after major fires were sparked by lightning storms across the region. Fires currently cover over 1.5 million acres in the state, officials revealed.
The major wildfires in both Oregon and Washington have now spread massive plumes of toxin-filled smoke across the region, sending pollution levels into the ‘unhealthy’ and ‘very unhealthy’ zones in all five states.
NWS officials warned: ‘Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health problems.’
‘Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition.’
Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5, which consists of microscopic particles of toxic compounds, small enough to penetrate human tissue and cause breathing issues.
Major cities in both Montana and Idaho are expected to feel the brunt of the smoke on Wednesday, including Boise and Twin Falls, Idaho and Billings, Missoula and Great Falls, Montana.
Wildfire smoke is blanketing five states in the Pacific Northwest as over one million acres burn
Air quality monitors have warned that pollution levels have reached the ‘very unhealthy’ zone in multiple western states
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has connected breathing in PM2.5 to multiple health issues, including aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, irregular heartbeat, heart attacks and premature death for those with heart and lung disease.
Typically, the Air Quality Index (AQI) is measured on a scale from 0 to 500: ‘good’ (0–50) carries little risk, ‘moderate’ (51–100) may affect sensitive individuals, ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ (101–150) poses increased risk and ‘unhealthy’ (151–200) impacts everyone, limiting outdoor activity.
According to live air quality-tracking website IQAir, levels along the Oregon-Idaho border have surpassed 200 in multiple areas, including in Meridian, Idaho, where the pollution levels reached 234 by 10am ET on Wednesday.
If outdoor air quality reaches the 300 to 500 ‘hazardous’ zone or surpasses that mark, the EPA warns that everyone should avoid all physical activity outside.
The air quality alerts in Nevada, Montana and Washington are expected to last into the afternoon on Wednesday.
However, several counties across Idaho and Oregon will remain under air quality warnings through Friday, while others are expected to be in the danger zone until the fires are brought under control.
Oregon National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Edgecomb said in a statement: ‘We expect this to be a long and hard fire season, so we’re preparing for the worst.’
In Idaho, red flag warnings were also issued throughout the state, as forecasters said thunderstorms starting Wednesday afternoon and lasting overnight could spark more wildfires as lightning strikes drought-ravaged areas of the Pacific Northwest.
Wildfires have triggered evacuations in central and easter Oregon for thousands of residents
Pictured: Emergency responders in Oregon attempt to put out the ‘Bench Fire’ from spreading in Warm Springs on July 25
NWS noted that those expected to be affected the most by the wildfire smoke include children under 18, the elderly, pregnant women and people with asthma or those who have difficulty breathing.
Some with diabetes, heart problems or pre-existing health conditions and people who have high exposure from working outside or exercising outdoors may also be affected.
Lawmakers in Oregon have claimed that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has denied the state’s request for aid in fighting two of the larger wildfires currently burning – the Rowe Creek Complex and East Evans Creek Fires.
Members from the state’s congressional delegation noted that three other fires have received federal grants, which cover 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs, according to 12 News Now.
US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley claimed that FEMA was applying stricter standards that required wildfires to already meet the benchmark for a ‘major disaster’ declaration before sending federal aid.
‘This program is meant to provide resources to fires that have the potential to become major disasters if left unchecked,’ the senators wrote in a letter to FEMA.
‘Resources should not – and are not supposed to be – withheld until a fire becomes so destructive as to receive a major disaster declaration.’
This is a breaking story. More details to follow.
