Area Fires Impact Air Quality In Yakima Valley Air Quality Alert Issued

If you walk outside you smell smoke from wildfires burning in Central Washington and that smoke is impacting air quality. In fact the Washington State Department of Ecology has issued an air quality alert for the Yakima area that is in effect until 10:00 am Thursday, August 31st.
The alert is due to wildfires burning in the region, combined with forecasts that call for conditions that could cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels.
Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, and aggravate serious health problems such as heart and lung diseases.
Children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory illnesses are most at risk of serious health effects during the air quality alert.
The alert calls for limiting outdoor activities and keeping children indoors if the air quality is poor.