Wildfire Smoke Guidance Inbox WA Department of Health Unsubscribe Fri, Aug 7, 1:02 PM (1 day ago) to me Are you ready for wildfire smoke? Wildfire Smoke 1 Washington State Department of Health-Temporary Worker Housing Program for Agricultural Employees. Farmworkers are the backbone of Washington’s agricultural economy, yet they face some of the most dangerous conditions during wildfire smoke events. When smoke settles over our state, it does not just threaten the fields, it enters the places where workers and their families live. This includes Temporary Worker Housing (TWH). These conditions can quickly become hazardous, especially during Washington’s increasingly hot and dry summers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is committed to protecting the health of farmworkers and their families. As wildfire smoke and extreme heat intensify, preparation is essential. Employers, operators, and workers must work together to provide training and take practical steps to reduce smoke exposure by keeping indoor and outdoor air as clean and safe as possible. Working long hours outdoors and poor indoor air quality make farmworkers especially vulnerable to wildfire smoke exposure. These risks can be reduced with preventative measures in place. Reduce the risk of smoke-related illnesses by taking simple actions such as providing: Appropriate respiratory protection. Plenty of drinking water. Rest breaks in well-ventilated indoor spaces with clean, filtered air. This bulletin provides some guidance and resources to help farmworker housing operators, employers, and workers prepare for wildfire smoke events, protect their health, and stay safe throughout the season. Key points from How Wildfire Smoke Affects Your Body, CDC Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles from burning trees and plants, buildings, and other materials. Wildfire smoke can reach far away from where the fires burn. Wildfire smoke can make anyone sick, but certain groups of people have a greater risk. Be ready to protect yourself and others against smoke and ash before, during, and after wildfire. Wildfire smoke can make you sick Breathing in smoke can immediately affect your health and may cause the following: Coughing Trouble breathing Wheezing Asthma attacks Stinging eyes Scratchy throat Runny nose Irritated sinuses Headaches Tiredness Chest pain Fast heartbeat Learn how to check your current air quality. Protect yourself and others from smoke and ash and evacuate safely during wildfire. Prepare for wildfire smoke: Wildfire Smoke 2 Wildfire smoke contains fine particles, PM2.5, that can irritate eyes and lungs and worsen heart and lung disease. DOH’s Smoke From Fires webpage explains that the risk of severe health impacts is greater for people who work outdoors, people 18 years old and younger, and those with lung diseases like asthma or existing heart or circulatory problems. The Smoke from Fires webpage includes: How to protect yourself and others from smoke. WA Air Quality Guide for Particle Pollution. Portable Air Cleaners. Improving Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality During Wildfire Smoke Events. Factsheets for the public. Protecting farmworkers and their families from the dangers of both heat and wildfire smoke is more important than ever. Please watch this Department of Labor and Industries safety expert, Chris Pyke, review the rules employers must follow and give tips to keep everyone safe: Washington Wildfire Smoke and Outdoor Heat Exposure Rules, Nonprofit Association of Washington. Reduce Exposure: Follow all workplace requirements for wildfire, smoke and heat: Wildfire Smoke, L&I Be Heat Smart, L&I Check local air quality by using the following tools: Washington Smoke Blog Air Quality Index (AQI) | AirNow.gov. Stay indoors when air quality is “Unhealthy” or worse. Use a portable air cleaner if available. Keep windows and doors closed during heavy smoke. Wear a properly fitted N95 mask if you must be outdoors. Thank you for all hard work and dedication to agriculture in our beautiful state. Our farmworkers deserve safe working and living conditions. Please share this bulletin widely with coworkers, community members, family members, and community partners. Let us know if you have any questions and reach out to us via email at Housing@doh.wa.gov. Other Resources: Preparing for Wildfires, CDC Respiratory Health and Protection, Migrant Clinicians Network Wildfire Smoke Safety, Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center Portable Air Cleaners Wildfire Smoke - Partner Toolkit – includes guidance for risk communication, making decisions about events, ventilation and filtration strategies, and more Heat Illness Prevention, Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center Heat-Related Illness Cooling indoor spaces without air conditioning X logo facebook instagram youtube medium subscribe 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 doh.information@doh.wa.gov Manage your DOH email subscriptions | Unsubscribe from all DOH emails | Help