Smoke Ready Week began Monday in Spokane, with the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency (SRCAA) and Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) launching a coordinated five-day public education campaign aimed at helping residents across the Inland Northwest prepare for what health officials expect to be a smoke-filled summer.

A Week of Daily Health Guidance

The June 1–5 campaign kicks off with an overview of why wildfire smoke poses a serious health threat. Smoke carries a complex mixture of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, and other harmful compounds that can penetrate deep into the lungs. Health effects range from burning eyes and coughing to more serious outcomes including wheezing, shortness of breath, and worsening of existing heart and lung conditions.

"Exposure to wildfire smoke can affect your physical, mental and psychological health, so taking steps ahead of time to protect yourself and those you care about can provide peace of mind," said Dr. Francisco Velázquez, SRHD health officer.

The week's daily focus areas are:

  • June 1 — Why smoke matters: Overview of health impacts from PM2.5 exposure
  • June 2 — Staying informed: How to access air quality forecasts and current conditions via Spokane Clean Air's monitoring network
  • June 3 — Vulnerable populations: Extra precautions for infants, children, pregnant individuals, adults 65+, and those with heart or lung disease
  • June 4 — Indoor air quality: Keeping windows and doors closed, using HEPA air cleaners or box fans with MERV-13 filters, and avoiding indoor smoke sources like candles and frying
  • June 5 — Mental health: Managing stress and anxiety during prolonged smoke events through rest, social connection, and calming activities

Preparation Before the Smoke Arrives

April Westby, executive director of Spokane Clean Air, emphasized that the time to prepare is now — before smoke arrives and options become limited.

"Preparing before the smoke arrives includes knowing how to access air quality forecasts and current air quality conditions, and determining what measures you can take now to improve your indoor air quality," Westby said.

The agency recommends residents identify the best rooms in their homes for sheltering during heavy smoke events, check that windows and door seals are tight, and consider purchasing portable air purifiers with HEPA filtration before summer demand drives up prices and shortages.

A Growing Regional Challenge

Wildfire smoke has become an increasingly routine summer presence across the Pacific Northwest. Eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and portions of western Montana are particularly vulnerable to multi-week smoke events when large fires ignite in the region's forests and rangelands. In bad smoke years, air quality index (AQI) values across Spokane, the Tri-Cities, and surrounding communities can reach unhealthy or hazardous levels for days or weeks at a time.

The University of Washington and public health officials across the region have documented growing psychological impacts from repeated smoke seasons, including anxiety, depression, and compounding stress for residents who feel unable to safely spend time outdoors during summer months.

Resources

Residents can track real-time and forecast air quality data at:

  • Spokane Clean Air: spokanecleanair.org
  • AirNow: airnow.gov
  • Washington Smoke Information: wasmoke.blogspot.com
  • Oregon DEQ Air Quality: oregon.gov/deq/aq

When AQI reaches Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101) or higher, residents should limit outdoor activity and begin using indoor air filtration. At Unhealthy (151+) or Very Unhealthy (201+) levels, all residents should remain indoors as much as possible.