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Home My WebLink AboutWildfire Smoke PolicyJEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Environmental Health Policy Wildfire Smoke Canceling Outdoor Events or Activities and Closing Schools Effective February 16, 2023, the following policy and procedure shall be implemented. Policy Statement: Protecting the health of Jefferson County residents is a high priority. Concentrations of smoke, measured as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), are a threat to health. Exposure to smoke can cause health problems that range from minor to severe. Individuals most at risk are children and babies, those who are pregnant, who are over 65, or who have heart or lung conditions. When smoke levels are high, even healthy adults can become sick from smoke. JCPH will follow the latest version of guidance to local health officers from Washington State Department of Health and Ecology on Canceling Outdoor Events or Activities and Closing Schools, hit s: doh.wa. ❑v sites default files le ac DocUm , ntS 4300334-428- Wild FireSmokeClasureGuidance final3.pdf. See attached table Washington Guide for Public Health Actions for Wildfire Smoke for a summary of Public Health Actions that will be taken by JCPH at different Air Quality Index levels. Actions include communication, coordination with public health partners, making recommendations, and closing or cancelling events. JCPH will refer school and daycare administrators to specific guidance for them at littps://doh.wa.gov/sites/detault/f ilesle ac Documents 4300 334-431- Wlldfire5mokeSCHOOLSummary.pdf. JCPH will refer outdoor event coordinators to specific guidance for them at litt s: doh.wa. ov sites default files le ac Documents 430Q 334-430- WlldfireSmokeO UTDOORSum ma ry. pdf. Information about the health effects of wildfire smoke can be found at https://doli.wa.gov/coi-nmuiiity- and-environment/air-aualitv/smoke-fires. Board Members Greg Brotherton, Chair, County Commissioner District #3; Kees Koff, i ice -Chair, Hospital Commissioner, District #2; Kate Dean, Member, County Commissioner District #1; Heidi Eisenhour, Member, County Commissioner District #2, Amanda Grace, Member, Community Stakeholder; AJ Hawkins, Member, Consumer of Public Health; Libby Wennstrom, Member, City of Port Townsend City Council 615 Sheridan • Castle Hill Center • Port Townsend • WA • 98368 (360) 385-9400 Current smoke conditions and forecasts are available at httl2s://wasmoke.blogspot.com/. The following infographic about air particle pollution htt s: doh.wa. ov sites default files le ac ❑ocuments 4300 wa a%20!nfo ra hic En fish. df explains the Air Quality Index. These resources and others (many available in multiple languages) can be found at the DOH Smoke from Wildfires - Toolkit webpage at httpsaldoh.wa.l;ovlcoi-nmunity-and-eiiviroiimentlair-gualitylsniake= fireslsmoke-wildfires-toolkit. The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency provides wildfire smoke information for the Olympic Peninsula including the status of burn bans at h#t s:dwww.orcaa.org/outdoor-burning/wildfire-smoke/. Attachment: Washington Guide for Public Health Actions for Wildfire Smoke htt s: doh.wa. ov sites default files le ac Documents 430❑ 334-429- WAQAGuidePublicHealthActions.pdf Board UM M Washington Date Date Board Members Greg Brotherton, Chair, County Commissioner District #3; Kees Kolff, lice -Chair, Hospital Commissioner, District #2; Kate Dean, Member, County Commissioner District #1; Heidi Eisenhour, Member, County Commissioner District #2; Amanda Grace, Member, Community Stakeholder; AJ Hawkins, Member, Consumer of Public Health; Libby Wennstrom, Member, City of Port Townsend City Council 615 Sheridan ■ Castle Hill Center ■ Port Townsend a WA ■ 98368 (360) 385-9400 Washington Guide for Public Health Actions for Wildfire Smoke (..YA h This guide is designed for air quality, public health, and other officials making local decisions. ■ DOH 334-429 April 2022 Air Quality Recommended Public Health Actions Index Check current and forecast air quality at enviwa.ecology.wa.gov Prior to wildfire season: Good • Coordinate a local plan for public health actions and distribute preparedness information to the public. (0-50) • Identify indoor spaces where individuals will seek cleaner air during wildfire smoke events and develop plans to protect indoor air quality including filtration. o Indoor spaces used by sensitive groups, such as schools, child care facilities, and long-term care facilities. o Community cleaner air settings, such as libraries. o Temporary cleaner air shelters. During wildfire season: ■ Monitor wildfires, smoke forecasts, and air quality at WA Smoke Blog. • If forecasts predict smoke in your area, review the Washin ton Wildfire Response document for Severe Smoke Episodes and the Wildfire Smoke Guide for Public Health Officials. Above recommendations, plus: Moderate • Distribute health information to the public, including steps to take with health advisory categories (51-100) Washington Air QualitV Guide for Particle Pollution. o Refer to the WA Smoke Blog for information about wildfires, smoke forecasts, and air quality. o Identify and focus outreach efforts for sensitive groups. • Coordinate with public health partners to follow recommended public health actions. • Recommend following the Washington Air Quality Guide for School and Child Care Activities. • For outdoor workers, start following WA Department of Labor and Industries' requirements. Above recommendations, plus: Unhealthy for • Recommend sensitive groups take steps to reduce exposure (limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor Sensitive activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air). • Recommend sensitive groups spend time in a cleaner air setting in the community, such as a library, if they Groups cannot maintain cleaner air at home. (101-150) • Cancel children's outdoor athletic events and practices or move them to an area with safe air quality, either indoors or at a different outside location: Washington Air Quality Guide for School Activities. • For an extended duration of smoke, consider opening a cleaner air shelter for sensitive groups. Above recommendations, plus: • Recommend everyone take steps to reduce exposure (limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air). • Recommend everyone spend time in an identified cleaner air setting in the community, such as a library, if they cannot maintain cleaner air in their residence. a Consider canceling outdoor public events and activities: Wildfire Smoke Guidance for Canceling Outdoor Events or Activities and Closi ng Schools. ■ For an extended duration of smoke, consider opening a cleaner air shelter for the public. Above recommendations, plus: ■ Strongly recommend everyone take steps to reduce exposure (stay inside and filter indoor air to keep it _ cleaner; go elsewhere for cleaner air if needed and possible). _ • • Cancel outdoor public events and activities: Wildfire Smoke Guidance for Canceling Outdoor Events or Activities and Closing Schools. • If school is in session, discuss school closure with administrators if indoor air cannot be kept lower than PM2.5 150.5 µg/m3 (AQI value of 201): Wildfire Smoke Guidance for Canceling outdoor Events or Activities and Closing Schools. • Distribute NIOSH-approved particulate respirators, such as N95 masks, as available, for limited use outside. Include training material for proper fit and use. • For an extended duration of smoke, consider recommending that sensitive groups voluntarily relocate to an unimpacted area. Above recommendations, plus: For an extended duration of smoke, consider recommending that everyone voluntarily relocate to an .. unimpacted area. To request this document in another format, call 1-800-525-0127. Deaf or hard of hearing customers, please call 711 (Washington Relay) or email civil.rights@doh.wa.gov.