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Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 07/09/2014 - According to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), wildfire season begins April 15, which means that wildfire season is in full swing. The Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) wants to remind residents of air quality issues that result from wildfire smoke in addition to resources available for air quality information.
Smoke from wildfire contains gases and fine particles that can cause burning to the eyes. The gases and fine particles can also be inhaled deep into your lungs, which makes it harder to breathe and can worsen other health conditions like asthma, according to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). Residents can access the Washington Air Quality Advisory (WAQA) online. WAQA is a tool that measures the air quality with categories ranging from “good” to “hazardous” air. If air quality conditions reach “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” KCPHD recommends that people with asthma, respiratory infections, and lung or heart disease limit time outdoors. Current air quality monitoring can be seen on the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) air monitoring site (WAQA): https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/. Additional informational sites include Ecology’s “WA Smokeblog” at http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ as well as DOH’s site regarding wildfire smoke at http://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/AirQuality/OutdoorAir/SmokeFromFires/WildfireSmoke.aspx. KCPHD will inform Kittitas County residents of future air quality issues as a result of wildfire. For more information about health concerns relating to air quality or informational resources, please contact KCPHD at (509)-962-7515.
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
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Contact: Kasey Knutson, Public Information Officer, 509-962-7515