Update 4:30 p.m.: Air quality in Yakima improved to unhealthy as of 4 p.m. this afternoon.
Update 2 p.m.: Air quality in Yakima improved to very unhealthy as of 1 p.m. this afternoon.
Update 1 p.m.: The Kittitas County Public Health Department is urging residents to take extra precautions as a result of the hazardous air quality.
- Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to reduce indoor air pollution.
- Don’t add to indoor pollution by using candles, fireplaces, gas stoves, vacuuming and smoking indoors.
- Some room air cleaners can remove smoke particles indoors. Read more here.
- Residents who have to spend time outside can take extra precautions and wear a N-95 mask, which can be picked up at the public health department, 507 N. Nanum St., Suite 102, in Ellensburg, as well as at the Putnam Centennial Center, 719 E. Third St., in Cle Elum.
Update 11:22 a.m.: Air quality in Yakima and Cle Elum is hazardous and the worst in the state for the second day in a row as two Central Washington fires keep burning.
Those with pre-existing breathing conditions, children, the elderly and pregnant women are still at higher risk, but more healthy people are likely to have breathing problems at this point.
Authorities say residents should take extra precautions if possible:
- Stay indoors
- Keep windows closed
- Run air conditioners on re-circulate
- If you must be outdoors, authorities say an N-95 respirator mask blocks out at least 95 percent of small particulates. These masks can often be found at a local hardware store.
If you experience shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue or difficulty moving or speaking, call your health provider or 911.
Air quality in Ellensburg, Sunnyside, Toppenish and White Swan is unhealthy. Residents in those areas should limit times outdoors and choose non-strenuous indoor activities.
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Here’s an update on the fires as of Sunday:
Jolly Mountain Fire
Location: 11 miles northwest of Cle Elum.
Size: 18,085 acres, up from 14,563.
Containment: Zero percent.
Firefighters: 600 personnel, 10 ground crews, five helicopters and 67 engines.
Evacuations: No new evacuations. More information can be found at https://tinyurl.com/yb2wfelg.
Road closures: No new road closures.
Property losses: No homes or buildings reported lost.
Emergency shelters: Putnam Centennial Center, 719 E. Third St., in Cle Elum.
Weather outlook: A red flag warning is in place through 9 p.m. Monday, meaning extreme burning conditions are likely as a result of atmospheric instability, high temperatures, low relative humidity and critically dry fuels.
Cause: Lightning on Aug. 11.
Norse Peak Fire
Location: 11 miles west of Cliffdell.
Size: 17,068 acres, up from 16,950.
Containment: 8 percent.
Firefighters: 331 personnel, six ground crews, 28 engines, two helicopters, two bulldozers, seven water tenders.
Evacuations: No new evacuations.
Road closures: State Route 410 from Chinook Pass to Bumping River Road remains closed. Bumping River is open to the lake.
Property losses: No homes or buildings reported lost.
Emergency shelters: None.
Weather outlook: Same as above.
Cause: Lightning on Aug. 11.
Fire officials are planning a public meeting from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Nile Valley Community Church, 60 Bedrock Lane in Naches, so they can give residents an update on the fire’s activity and answer questions.