Air pollution advisory in effect for all of Southwest Washington through Friday

The Southwest Washington Clean Air Agency’s air pollution advisory is still in effect throughout Southwest Washington, including Clark and Skamania counties.

The agency reports: “Continued intrusions of wildfire smoke, stagnant conditions and hot weather throughout Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania and Wahkiakum Counties and elevated afternoon ozone levels in Clark County will cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels at times” until mid-day Friday, Sept. 8.

The area could possibly see some relief by this weekend.

To view current air quality statistics, visit www.swcleanair.org/burning/airquality.asp

The SWCAA’s air pollution advisory says local residents who suffer from asthma or lung disease, as well as older adults, children and those sensitive to the wildfire smoke should limit their time outdoors as much as possible this week.

The agency also advises local residents to “protect their health and help improve air quality by reducing pollution from cars, mowers, paint and aerosol sprays.”

Commuters are being urged to consider taking public transportation or carpooling to work instead of driving solo.

For more information on how to best cope with the respiratory impacts of the smoke, visit the state’s Department of Health site at  www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/AirQuality/SmokeFromFires.