Grays Harbor County, along with the majority of Washington State, was bogged down by smokey conditions last week, a result of forest fires in Oregon and eastern Washington.

Offshore winds blowing east brought smoke to the area from fires near Mount Rainier and Cle Elum in addition to smoke arriving from Oregon fires, according to Jeff Michalski, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Seattle.

“There appears to be fires from Oregon and also from eastern Washington from the Cascades,” he said. “There are numerous fires in the area. The winds aloft were just bringing smoke into Western Washington.”

As of last Thursday, Sept. 7, Michalski said conditions were beginning to improve and the air quality alert was lifted at noon.

“There is a pattern change in wind shift,” Michalski said. “Fires are still burning but with a different wind direction, we should see less smoke in the area.”

On Thursday a southerly wind blew but began making the transition to more of a southwest-to-west wind which brought air flow inland from the Pacific.

“With that pattern the smoke should be blowing into eastern Washington and eastern Oregon,” Michalski said. “Coupled with a few showers, that will help increase the air quality for sure.”

He said as of Thursday morning the worst of the smokey conditions were over for Grays Harbor County.

“Especially for Grays Harbor, I think you’re kind of done,” Michalski said. “The areas where it’ll linger a little longer would be along the I-5 corridor as it’s working its way from southwest to east. The coast is going to clear out faster than the interior because of winds coming from the Pacific.”

While the air quality alert is now lifted and the skies are again clear in East County, it is important for residents to take note that additional alerts could come in the future as long as fires continue to burn. Deputy Director at Grays Harbor County Public Health and Social Services Beth Mizushima said when air quality alerts are in effect the safest course of action is to stay indoors.

“The main recommendation is to try to stay indoors and really try to tightly close windows and doors so the smoke can’t come into your home and reduce other particulates in your home, like not using candles and things like that,” she said.

If having to go outdoors to run errands Mizushima said people can make use of wildfire smoke and face masks and that they should not roll down car windows but should be mindful of the heat.

“Be mindful of the heat,” she said. “If it’s very hot out you have to be careful you’re not getting heat exhaustion.”

Utilizing face masks is a proper way to mitigate health concerns during air quality alerts, but Mizushima said it is important for those with chronic illnesses like asthma, diabetes or respiratory issues to consult their physician before putting on a mask.

“Masks can make it hotter and more difficult to breath,” she said.

Staying cool while keeping windows shut can be tricky for those in East County without air conditioning. Mizushima recommends that windows be opened overnight to let in cooler air and for blinds to be pulled shut during the day to keep the sun from coming through and heating the home. She also recommends utilizing fans to increase air flow within the home.

Last week schools operated normally for the most part with only a few sports practices being moved indoors at Montesano Junio/Senior High School.

“Some practices yesterday (Sept. 6) moved indoors,” said Montesano athletic director Tim Trimble. “Junior high football was inside, high school football was partially outside and cross country was as normal but didn’t do a heavy workout. Air conditions had improved some so we felt pretty good about it.”

Additional information on mitigating health concerns from wildfire smoke can be found at www.doh.wa.gov/smokefromfires.