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Wildfire Smoke & Extreme Heat Resources : Staying Safe Outdoors

How to prepare for and mitigate the effects of wildfire smoke & extreme heat for cities, buildings, and individuals

Introduction

Spokane commonly experiences unhealthy air quality and extreme heat during the summer and fall months due to wildfires and natural seasonal changes. Wildfires pump gases and particles into the air which can be carried hundreds of miles, so even when there is not a wildfire near Spokane, the region may still experience poor air quality. During smoke events, it is best to limit your time outside especially when it is extremely hot out as well. Read more below about how you can stay safe when it is unavoidable to go outside or there is poor air quality inside as well. Visit Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency to learn more about preparing for wildfire smoke in Spokane, WA.

Extreme Heat

Heat is the #1 weather related killer in the US as it can exacerbate preexisting conditions and causes heat exhaustion or stroke (National Weather Service, 2025) 1. Extreme heat events affect people differently depending on where they live, their income, age, profession, activities they participate in, and their medical conditions. People experience heat-related illnesses when their bodies are unable to properly cool themselves. Recognizing symptoms of heat-related illness can save lives! You can learn more about the connections between heat and health on the World Health Organization website.

Know the Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness

  • Heat exhaustion is unpleasant, but heat stroke can be fatal and requires immediate medical attention. This factsheet from the Spokane Regional Health District website gives valuable information about the different symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. It is important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of these heat-related illnesses because it can save lives. If you or someone you know experience symptoms of heat stroke, symptoms it is critical to get medical help as soon as possible and call 9-1-1. On the website linked above, you can also find flyers in up to nine languages on heat-related topics such as tips for staying hydrated, risk factors, staying cool at home, and guidance for outdoor activities. 

Figure 1 depicts a person with heat exhaustion symptoms on the left side of their body and heat stroke symptoms on their right. Heat exhaustion symptoms include dizziness, excessive sweating, cool, pale, clammy skin, nausea, vomiting, rapid, weak pulse, and muscle cramps. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms during extreme heat, get to a cool place, drink water, and take a cool shower or use a cold compress. Heat stroke symptoms include throbbing headache, no sweating, body temp above 103°F, red, hot, dry skin, nausea, vomiting, rapid, strong pulse, and possibly losing consciousness. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms during extreme heat, call 9-1-1 immediately and get the person cool until help arrives. Some general tips for being in the heat include drinking extra water, avoiding energy drinks and alcohol, and diluting electrolyte drinks with water.

Figure 1. Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke 2. 

Tips for Staying Cool and Hydrated

Additional Resources

Wildfire Smoke

Air Pollutants 
  • The air pollutants of primary concern in the Spokane region are Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and ground-level ozone (O3). Particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter present the greatest threats to human health because they can go deep into humans’ lower respiratory system as well as the bloodstream (Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency) 3. Some health effects that particle pollution has been linked to include:
    • Premature death in people with heart or lung disease
    • Nonfatal heart attacks
    • Irregular heartbeat
    • Aggravated asthma
    • Decreased lung function
    • Increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing. 
    • Small exposure can lead to nose, eye, throat, or lung irritation while prolonged exposure can lead to chronic bronchitis, reduced lunch function, or increased risk of lung cancer and heart disease. 

What is the air quality and weather forecast at your location?

The following are resources for monitoring air quality and weather updates. These resources are frequently updated and considered reliable for individual and household use. 

  • Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency Website: Provides local air quality forecasts (updated hourly) and current burn restriction statuses for Spokane County. Provides an explanation of the Air Quality Index and FAQs about air quality monitoring and forecasting.  

  • AQI Forecasts AirNow: Enter a ZIP Code, city, or state to see the current air quality for that area.  

  • Air Quality Guide for Particle Pollution AirNow: An explanation of the air quality index showing what each rating means, who should be concerned, and what should be done in each situation. Also provides information about particle pollution and tips to stay safe indoors and outside. 

  • Washington Smoke Blog: Provides maps and information on current air quality, fires, and smoke affecting Washington State. 

  • ALERT Spokane: Program for public alert and warning notifications disseminated throughout the greater Spokane area. When registered, you may receive alert messages for any type of safety situation in your area including wildfire and extreme heat. 

  • Forecast for Spokane, WA: National Weather Service website for Spokane showing a variety of information on current weather forecasts, hazards, and advisories. 

  • Once you know the air quality in your area, check the air quality index (pictured on the home page of this LibGuide) to get guidance on which kind of activities are considered safe.

What to do when there is poor air quality 

Figure 2 shows a person wearing an N95 respirator mask to protect themselves from wildfire smoke. Some tips for wearing masks include checking the face seal, tightening the nose clip, placing the straps against the head, and shaving facial hair. The mask should feel snug on your face.

Figure 2. N95 respirator visual depiction from Washington State Department of Labor & Industries website on Wildfire Smoke Safety 4.

 

  • Reduce smoke in your vehicle by closing the windows and vents and running the air conditioner in recirculate
    mode. 
  • Stay in your home if it is a cleaner air space, or find a public cleaner air space such as a community center or library. Learn more about creating your own cleaner air space in the "Keeping your Household Safe" tab of this LibGuide.
  • A good option for a local cleaner air space could be a resilience hub. Learn more about these under the "City Planning" tab of this LibGuide and how Spokane plans to implement them on the Climate Institute Resilience Hub webpage. 

Additional Resources

Figure 3 depicts the title page of Why Is Coco Red? a children's book by the EPA with the purpose of teaching kids about air quality. Under the title is the description Coco and his friends solve this mystery as they learn about air quality. The title page picture includes a red chameleon on the left with their arms up explaining something to a blue and a red chameleon on the right.

Figure 3. Title page of EPA children's book on air quality 5.

Sources

  1. National Weather Service & NOAA, "Weather Related Fatality and Injury Statistics," Accessed 23 June 2025, www.weather.gov/hazstat.
  2. Spokane Regional Health District & Gonzaga University Climate Institute, "Extreme Heat," 2023, srhd.org/health-topics/environmental-health/extreme-heat.
  3. Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency, "Air Pollutants & Trends," 2025, spokanecleanair.org/air-quality/air-pollutants-trends-reports/#:~:text=The%20standards%20are%20reviewed%20by,level%20Ozone%20(O3). 

  4. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, "Respirators filter the air to protect worker’s lungs." Accessed 23 June 2025, www.lni.wa.gov/safety-health/safety-topics/topics/wildfire-smoke.

  5. AirNow.gov, n.d., “Why Is Coco Red?,” April 2022, https://www.airnow.gov/education/why-is-coco-red/.