Wildfire smoke to get worse today

WORLAND – The smoky air that has enveloped the Big Horn Basin and much of Wyoming will continue and likely worsen, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service in Riverton issued a Special Weather Statement this week, which states, "Smoky conditions will likely worsen behind the front Saturday morning. Individuals sensitive to increased particulate and smoke levels should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity."

The smoky conditions have been affecting the entire state. "From what we've seen, it looks like there really isn't an area across the state that's not being affected right now," National Weather Service Meteorologist Trevor Lavoie said.

"The smoke is coming from fires in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Western Montana," Lavoie said. There are 25 active wildfires in Washington, 18 active wildfires in Oregon, 28 active wildfires in Idaho and 22 active wildfires in Montana, according to the inciweb.gov site which is a national database for wildfires.

At this point the NWS does not see any relief from the smoke. "Even though we have another cold front coming through today, it is moving over the Pacific Northwest, that same region, so even though winds are going to be pretty strong today across the state, the system does have the capability of pulling some of that smoke with it as it goes through. Not exactly confident as far as it blowing some of the stuff out of the area," Lavoie said.

As the smoke increases, concerns about health problems will also increase.

"If you're noticing any breathing complications including cough, wheezing or difficulty breathing, seek the care of your health care provider as soon as possible," Washakie Medical Center Clinic Dr. Benjamin Wilde advised.

"If people have asthma or C.O.P.D. keep their inhalers or nebulizers close by and use them with increased frequency if their having increased symptoms," Red Rock Clinic Dr. Wade Bomengen said.

According to the Center for Disease Control, smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases.

Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, headaches, stinging eyes or a runny nose. If you have heart or lung disease, smoke might make your symptoms worse, according to the airnow.gov site, which is the site for the US EPA Office of Air and Radiation.

People with heart disease might experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, or fatigue. People with lung disease may not be able to breathe as deeply or as vigorously as usual, and they may experience symptoms such as coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, wheezing and shortness of breath, according to Airnow.gov. When smoke levels are high enough, even healthy people may experience some of these symptoms.

The EPA Office of Air and Radiation also advised, "Use common sense. If it looks smoky outside, it's probably not a good time to mow the lawn or go for a run. And it's probably not a good time for your children to play outdoors."