Smoke may irritate residents

For the past week, smoke has drifted into Sweetwater County and although it seems to have lessened, it will not disappear anytime soon.

According to Dave Lipson, Fire Weather Services Team Member at the National Weather Service Center in Riverton, it is hard to pinpoint just exactly where all the smoke is coming from. He said with so many fires in Washington, Idaho and Montana, it is hard to tell which state or if all three are contributing to the smoky conditions, which at times have made it seem cloudy.

Some of the smoke has seemed to have cleared out, which was the result of a frontal inversion, Lipson said, however, this may only be a short-term condition. It is just hard to tell. He said as long as the fires continue to burn and the wind pattern remains the same, the smoke will remain.

The bad news is, even if the wind patterns shift, Wyoming will probably remain in the smoke because of all the smoke from the California fires will replace the current smoke it is experiencing.

With all the smoke in the air, many residents have started complaining about eye irritation or runny noses.

Sweetwater County Health Officer Dr. Jean Stachon said even her nose was running this week.

“I’m sure it will bother people,” Stachon said. “I’m sure it’s going to irritate your eyes.”

Dr. Tracy Murphy, Wyoming Department of Health state epidemiologist said in a press release, “People who have pre-existing hear and respiratory conditions, including allergies, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are especially susceptible to wildfire smoke’s ill effects. Older adults are more likely to be affected because they are more likely to have heart or lung disease; and children are vulnerable because their airways are still developing and because their breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults.”

The release also stated Wyoming residents should be mindful of the potential health effects caused by wildfire smoke.

“Everyone should use common sense when their local air is smoky and avoid heavy outdoor exercise,” Murphy said. “Those at-risk should be especially careful in limiting their smoke exposure.”

Stachon said she will not be running any 10-mile runs anytime soon and others should not be doing it either when the smoke is thick.

Department of Health suggestions

Keep windows and doors closed.

Keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean if an air conditioner is being ran.

If a resident doesn’t have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside without one, they should seek shelter elsewhere.

When smoke levels are high, do not use anything that burns, such as candles, fireplaces or gas stoves.

Do not vacuum. Vacuuming will stir up particles already inside the home.

Do not smoke.