Public Notice - Air Quality Warning September 5 to 8, 2017

CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE COLVILLE RESERVATION

OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST

The National Weather Service expects the conditions that are currently bringing us smoke from wildfires in Eastern Washington, Montana, Idaho and British Co- lumbia to continue through Friday morning. The air quality warning signifies that conditions have de- graded from previous days and that health concerns have increased for everyone.

Predicted Air Quality for the Colville Reservation for the next three days:

Smoke concentrations have increased to levels that can be Very Unhealthy for everyone with periods of time in the Hazardous category. Very Unhealthy Air Quality, Photo taken on 9-5-17

Some precautions to help protect yourself and your Useful websites to track fires and smoke are lo- family: cated online: Washington State, including links to federal, state  Utilize N95 available to all community members and local agencies: at the Inchelium and Nespelem fire stations, and http://wasmoke.blogspot.com tribal community centers. The senior meal sites have them for their clients. A source of fire information including current  Learn what the current air quality condition are, status and perimeter maps see websites below http://www.inciweb.org/state/49/  Keep window and doors closed  Run air conditioner unit set to re-circulate and the Office of Environmental Trust Air Quality fresh-air intake closed or turn them off https://www.cct-enr.com/environmental-trust/  Use a high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) air filter in your AC unit if possible  Use room size portable air cleaners to remove smoke that enters your home. You may need mul- tiple units to be effective.  Limit door use by selecting a primary entrance for all to use  Stay hydrated, keep drinking lots of water

Smoke concentrations very during the day depending on fire activity and weather conditions. New fire may change the outlook for the Reservation into higher levels of health concern. Smoke over the Columbia River Current Wildfires in Washington contributing smoke

 Bridge Creek Fire, Colville Reservation, 3,700 acres  Norse Peak Fires northwest of Yakima, 18,900 acres combination of several fires in the area.  Jack Creek Fire, 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, 1,800 acres  Diamond Creek Fire, Pasayten Wilderness north of Mazama, 95,000 acres  Uno Peak Fire on the east shore of Lake Chelan, 2,400 acres  Jolly Mountain Fire, 11 miles northwest of Cle Elum, 20,100 acres

Air Quality Index Explanation Air Quality Levels of Health Index (AQI) PM2.5 (μg/m3) Levels of Health Concern Concern Values Air quality is considered satisfactory and air pollution 0 to 50 Good 0.0-15.4 poses little or no risk. Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very 51 to 100 Moderate 15.5-35.4 small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. People especially sensitive to air pollution may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to Unhealthy for Sen- 101 to 150 35.5-65.4 be affected. An AQI in this category or above indicates sitive Groups that air pollution exceeds levels acceptable under federal air quality standards. Everyone may begin to experience health effects; 151 to 200 Unhealthy 65.5-150.4 members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Health alert: everyone may experience more serious 201 to 300 Very Unhealthy 150.5-250.4 health effects. Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire 301 to 500 Hazardous 250.5+ population is more likely to be affected.

The photo to right is satellite imagery of wildfire smoke over the Pacific North- west on September 5, 2017.

For Information contact: Kris Ray, Air Quality Program Manager, Office 509-634-2418; Cell 509- 978-802