I don’t see a thread on this topic already; if I missed it, I apologize.
First, I hope everyone in the fire and smoke regions is safe. I know that Oregon, in particular, has lost many structures.
Most homes here (around Seattle) don’t have a/c, and the usual refuges (malls, movie theaters, libraries, etc.) aren’t safe for those trying to escape the smoke.
How are you all dealing with the horrible air quality? I put in a new, higher-rated furnace filter, and we’re staying locked down. The dog is not impressed. I need to find some ways to tire her out inside.
Fortunately, where I live in the Los Angeles suburbs, most people do have A/C, so we’ve been hunkered down at home with the windows closed and the A/C on. Unfortunately, our house is pretty drafty, so in certain parts of it, the smoke smell is pretty strong. The air quality is truly horrible. Every time I go outside, I start coughing. I think the air quality index today is something like the equivalent of smoking about 10 cigarettes.
Last weekend in Colorado you could smell the fires as if they were just the next street over when in fact the closest was about 100 miles from my house. The rain and snow really helped to at least contain the spread Tues-Thurs. Praying for rain for Oregon and California.
My brother was to go to a wedding in Oregon on Sunday but it’s been cancelled.
We’re near the coast in San Diego and luckily haven’t had too many issues. We did clean some ash off our outdoor tables, there’s a haze much of the time, and on rare occasions we can smell smoke. But the fire nearest us is 27 miles away and getting under control.
I had tried to talk our son into driving halfway from Seattle and meeting us, then coming down with us for a visit. I am now very happy he is not driving through Oregon and Northern California. But he does not have AC and it looks quite smoky near him.
I’m in NorCal; we have one small Levoit HEPA air purifier we run in the bedroom, and just a few weeks ago when the first fires started, bought a larger unit for the family room. They have been lifesavers. As far as the A/C goes, ours sucks in air from outside, making the air inside the house cooler but dirtier. Thankfully we haven’t had to run the A/C the last few days; there’s so much smoke and fog it’s blocking out the sun and suppressing the temps.
Bay Area Air quality is scary bad. Staying inside, only out for 1/2 hour in the last three days. Even inside with all windows shut and new air filters, feels like I just can’t get a full breath…and both H and I have had the dull headaches that come with breathing bad air. I haven’t had my contacts in for days. Air purifier ordered.
Our cars, patio, the deck, outdoor furniture, plants all covered in light grey ash. Almost wish we could have that weird orange air from the other day–at least, (surprisingly) we could breathe with that.
So, the past three weeks have been extreme heat, power outages, massive lightning, fires, smoke, ash. Waiting for locusts.
And saying many thanks and prayers for our firefighters, first responders and health care workers…
When there was the orange sky, the ash cloud was mostly at higher altitude, so the air quality at ground level was not so bad. Now, the ash cloud is at ground level.
National Weather Service Seattle says today is supposed to be the worst day (Very Unhealthy). Sunday will improve to Unhealthy, and Monday will be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.
My WFH daughter also has a dog who is “not impressed”. With no AC they have had a hard time sleeping. Fortunately have a basement to sleep in and did the box fan/furnace filter trick. Hoping for the wind to shift.
Pro Golf tour at Silverado in Napa today. On tv, weather appears decent. In reality, the air quality index is 175-195 - Very Unhealthy. Would not want to be a golfer or caddie today…
The AQI # seems worse than the actual air quality in reality IMO. I just got back from exercising outdoors with a mask on, but when I had my mask off, I didn’t think the smell was that bad.
Both #’s are similar for my area, roughly 175-180. I’m environmentally sensitive with my allergies, but after my workout, I picked up some lunch and sat outside eating it. For whatever reason, the air isn’t giving a problem thus far. Nonetheless I’m limiting any other outdoor activities.
AQI over 500. Visibility 100 yards. Furnace filter turned brown in less than 24 hours. No air purifiers available, but have the box fan/filter rig running. Over 30 miles to the nearest fire. This sucks.