Smoke Resources
Current Air Quality
Prescribed Fire Smoke
Prescribed fire is a critical tool that can reduce built-up vegetation, lower the risk of high-intensity wildfire, and restore natural habitats for wildlife. Smoke from prescribed fire is typically less widespread and shorter-lived than smoke from wildfire, but it is still good to prepare. If you live near US Forest Service or Washington DNR managed lands, follow your local USFS or DNR offices on social media to stay up to date on prescribed burns in your area. Another option is to check the DNR Burn Portal where planned large burns are identified on a calendar and a map. Watch Duty can also be a useful platform to find burn updates.
If you believe that a prescribed fire is causing an unreasonable amount of smoke at your location, you can submit a Smoke Complaint. If smoke impacts are significant, review the ‘Smoke Resilience’ section of this webpage.
DNR meteorologists and forecasters work to limit the impacts of prescribed fire smoke on Washington communities by implementing the Washington Smoke Management Plan. This involves monitoring air quality, interpreting weather data, and making forecasts to inform decisions for ignition of certain prescribed fires. From September to June, you can join the DNR hosted smoke coordination call on Teams each Monday and Thursday at 9:00 a.m. Staff shares information on upcoming weather and ventilation conditions which helps burn practitioners pick an optimal burn window with maximum smoke dispersion.
DNR regulates silvicultural activities such as burning piles of logging slash or debris or understory forest health burns. However, not all types of outdoor burning are regulated by DNR. Other types of burning (residential, land clearing, agriculture) are primarily regulated by other agencies, namely the Department of Ecology or Local Clean Air Agencies depending on the location.
Smoke Resilience
Smoke can seriously affect health, especially for high-risk individuals, but it can affect anyone. For comprehensive information on the topic, please see the Washington State Department of Health page on staying safe from smoke.
If conditions are smoky, you can take steps to lower your exposure by:
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Staying updated on current and forecasted air quality
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Limiting duration and intensity of outdoor exercise
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Staying indoors. To maintain cleaner indoor air:
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Keep windows closed unless it’s too hot to safely do so.
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Filter the air using an HVAC system with the highest possible rated MERV filter, HEPA portable air cleaner, or DIY box fan. Start small and create a cleaner air room.
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Don’t add to indoor air pollution. If possible, avoid candles, incense, sprays, air fresheners, broiling/frying food, gas stoves, smoking, or vaping.
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Open the windows again when outdoor air quality improves.
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If you cannot keep your indoor air clean, consider traveling for some relief in cleaner air spaces such as a public building or friend’s residence.
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If you must go outside, consider wearing a properly fitted N95 mask. Surgical or cloth masks will not provide protection from smoke particles.
Learn how to make your own filter fan:
Additionally, smoke episodes can affect mental health. See Coping with the Stress of Wildfire Smoke (EPA) for additional guidance.
Wildfire Smoke Forecasts
DNR forecasters are key contributors to the Washington Smoke Blog, an interagency collaboration effort providing frequent statewide smoke updates during wildfire season. Additionally, Local Smoke Outlooks issued by Air Resource Advisors provide more detailed forecasts for communities near active wildfire incidents. Lastly, the Department of Ecology Air Quality Map offers year-round AQI forecasts using a combination of computer modeling and manual adjustments.
