Ephrata, WA – Residents across Grant County are being urged to limit time outdoors as wildfire smoke has pushed air quality into the “Moderate to Unhealthy” range.
According to the Grant County Health District, the smoke is expected to linger as large wildfires continue burning across Washington and neighboring states. The Washington Department of Ecology has also extended alerts to Yakima, Kittitas, Stevens, Lincoln, and Spokane counties.
Health officials warned that everyone should reduce exposure when air quality reaches unhealthy levels. The district advised residents to stay indoors as much as possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, and use air filters or clean air rooms to limit exposure.
Those most at risk include children, older adults, pregnant people, and individuals with asthma or other lung conditions. The health district emphasized the importance of checking on vulnerable neighbors and staying hydrated as hot temperatures increase the risk of heat-related illness.
As of Tuesday afternoon, air quality readings in Grant County varied widely, from 57 in Mattawa (moderate) to 162 in Moses Lake (unhealthy). Communities such as Quincy, Soap Lake, and Electric City reported levels in the “moderate” to “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range.
The health district is offering resources online, including locations to find free N95 masks and instructions on creating indoor clean-air spaces. Officials said they will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as forecasts change.
For more information and safety tips, residents can visit granthealth.org/160/Wildfires-Smoke.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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