Smoke from wildfires in Oregon continued to fill the Kent Valley on Monday, Sept. 14.
This photo display shows smoke in the Valley looking east and south from the South 216th Street hill in SeaTac and looking west from the James Street hill toward Kent Station and the Maleng Regional Justice Center.
The wildfire smoke is going to continue throughout the week in King County, according to an update Monday afternoon from King County Office of Emergency Management. Air quality is expected to stay unhealthy for all populations. Smoke from fires can be dangerous for everyone.
As of 1 p.m. Monday, Kent had a rating of 322 (hazardous), according to a reading at James Street and Central Avenue in the Valley by the state Department of Ecology’s Air Monitoring Network. That number has been consistent all day.
Take steps to protect your health
• Stay indoors as much as possible. Continue to follow COVID-19 small gathering guidance.
• Limit intense outdoor activity.
• Close windows and doors as much as possible.
• Learn how to keep indoor air clean, by visiting Public Health Insider, https://bit.ly/35p1DR2
• Use the highest rated air filter you can with your HVAC system (MERV 13 is the highest).
• Use an air cleaner with a HEPA filter if possible.
• Air purifiers and filters may be in short supply. Call stores ahead before venturing out in the smoke.
• Use fans or an air conditioners (AC) when it’s hot, if possible. Set your AC to recirculate.
• A DIY air cleaner may be an easy and cost-effective way to clean air inside your home. Information on how to construct a portable air cleaner and important safety tips to follow while using one of these fans can be found at Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s DIY Air Filter website. (https://pscleanair.gov/525/DIY-Air-Filter)
• Don’t pollute the indoor air. Don’t smoke, use candles, or vacuum. Avoid frying and broiling when cooking indoors.
• The air quality may change frequently throughout the day, and may be different from location to location. Check https://www.airnow.gov for updates.
For more information
• Puget Sound Clean Air Agency air quality maps (https://secure.pscleanair.org/AirQuality/NetworkMap )
• Public Health Seattle- King County health messaging (https://publichealthinsider.com/)
• King County Emergency Management Emergency Blog (https://kcemergency.com/ )
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Smoke fills the Kent Valley on Monday, Sept. 14 looking south from Robert Morris Earthwork public art installation on the west hill in SeaTac. STEVE HUNTER, Kent Reporter
Smoke fills the Kent Valley looking west toward Kent Station from the James Street hill. STEVE HUNTER, Kent Reporter
