Air quality worsens: DNR asks for citizen volunteers for fires

Blue skies could be seen in the Palouse area last Thursday after more than a week of smoke-filled skies, but the smoke quickly returned and worsened the air quality throughout the weekend.

Early last week, smoke from nearby wildfires across the state and in Idaho reached the area and created a smoky haze, prompting the Department of Ecology to rank the area’s air quality as poor and unhealthy at times.

The ranking warned that members of sensitive groups such as people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children were more likely to be affected by the poor air quality, with the general public not being at great risk.

The ranking returned to good Thursday as the skies cleared and the sun became visible again, though several wildfires continued to burn. By Friday night, the air quality had reached very unhealthy as winds pushed the smoke from the nearby wildfires back to the Palouse.

The Department of Ecology describes the very unhealthy ranking as “emergency conditions” where “the entire population is more likely to be affected.”

The ranking kept athletic fields at Washington State University closed and also prompted cancellation of several events through the weekend, including the Tour de Lentil 50K, 100K and 150K bike race on Saturday, the Color Me Coug 5K at WSU and the Backyard Bash at the Student Recreation Center Sunday.

The Lentil Festival parade and 5K Fun Run occurred as planned on Saturday morning.

The Color Me Coug 5K has been tentatively re-scheduled for Sunday at 9 a.m. Tour de Lentil registrants are eligible for refunds.

By Tuesday, the air quality had improved slightly again, lowering from very unhealthy to unhealthy. The public is still advised to remain indoors when possible and to avoid long exposure periods outdoors.

As the wildfires continued to burn paths of destruction across the state and region, President Barack Obama declared a State of Emergency for the state Friday, which authorizes the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate relief efforts for those affected by the fires.

Fire crews from Australia and New Zealand arrived Sunday to help battle the blazes, and several states have also sent resources.

With the state’s fire fighting resources being tapped, the Department of Natural Resources is turning to the public for help, asking for citizen volunteers to help with several wildfires burning in the region.

An Aug. 20 DNR press release asks for interested citizens to show or call at one of two locations in the state to determine where their volunteer efforts could be of the most use.

Centers are located to the north in Omak and Colville.

The Omak location is located at 2 Ash St. N, Omak City Hall. The Omak center can also be reached at 509-826-2546 or CRC.Omak@gmail.com

The Colville location is on the second floor of the Washington State Department of Transportation building at 440 N Hwy 395. Staff can also be reached at 509-675-7847 or CRC.Colville@gmail.com.

The press release states that volunteers who can operate equipment such as backhoes and bulldozers are needed, and staffers will determine how their time and energy will best suit the needs of the current wildfire situations.

“Coordinators will review citizens’ offers for resources and direct them to where they can be most beneficial and without jeopardizing the safety of firefighters and the public.

“Even if a member of the public has sufficient credentials, deployment to a wildfire will depend on the availability of professional firefighter staff to accompany, direct and ensure the safety of everyone concerned.”

According to the press release, training in wildfire safety will be provided where appropriate.

The request for citizen volunteers marks the first time in state history that the DNR has asked for help from residents in fighting fires.