SPOKANE, Wash. — Officials from the Spokane Regional Health District says there is no safe level of exposure to particulate matter from wildfires.
This comes in light of Spokane taking the spot as the worst air quality in the nation for a short time Tuesday as smoke from the 243 Fire in Grant County moved into the area. The smoke started clearing Tuesday night.
The Spokane Regional Health District said that no amount of air particulate from wildfires is considered safe to breathe.
Lisa Woodard with the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency said this is relatively early to see wildfire smoke in Spokane.
"We know that wildfires can really occur at any time once we hit the dry months, but yes, definitely earlier than what we've seen in the past," she said.
She also said that if your dwelling does not have proper ventilation, it can be worse than being outside.
Tuesday's smoke was unique, however, in that it started clearing out the same day it moved in, Woodard said.
Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency says Spokane averages about 355 days in the healthy air quality range, leaving just an average of just 10 days a year with unsafe levels for those at risk.