Air Quality and Smoke



Air pollution, including smoke from wildfires, affects everyone's health. Protect your health by checking air quality and staying indoors as much as possible when air quality is poor. Get medical help right away if you have symptoms such as breathing or heart problems.





Click here if graphic does not display.

CURRENT AIR QUALITY AND FORECASTS

For current air quality conditions in Kitsap County, go to:

For updates on wildfire activity and smoke forecasts, visit the Washington Smoke Information blog.


CHECK AIR QUALITY ON YOUR PHONE

You can get local air quality updates on your phone by installing the Air Quality WA app, available for Android and Apple devices.




WILDFIRE SMOKE IS BAD FOR EVERYONE'S HEALTH

Tiny particles from wood smoke can get into your eyes and lungs and cause serious health problems. Some people are at higher risk from smoke, including:

  • Babies and children
  • Older adults (65 and older)
  • People who are pregnant
  • People with health conditions, such as heart or breathing problems

Visit the Washington State Department of Health's smoke page to learn more about health problems caused by smoke and who is most at risk.




Click to view our fact sheet.



PROTECT YOUR HEALTH WHEN AIR QUALITY IS POOR

Health risks from wildfire smoke and other pollutants vary depending on how much pollution is in the air and your personal risk factors. In general, you can protect your health by:

  • Staying indoors as much as possible.
  • Avoiding vigorous outdoor activites such as running or biking.
  • Keeping air in your home as clean as possible:
    • Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
    • Use an air cleaner with HEPA filter if available.
    • Use fans or an air conditioner to cool your home. Set AC to recirculate.
    • Avoid activities that create dust or smoke, such as frying foods or vacuuming.

Staying indoors is the best way to protect your health when air quality is poor. If you have to be outside, consider wearing a high-quality respirator such as an N95 or KN95. Be sure that the mask fits snugly over your mouth and nose. Loose-fitting masks, surgical masks, and cloth face coverings will not filter out smoke particles. Find more safety guidance for working when air quality is poor.

Find more tips for staying safe when air quality is poor.




View in: Español (Spanish) | 한국어 (Korean) | Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)




GET HELP IF YOU NEED IT

Community resources are available if you need help staying safe during bad air quality events.

  • Contact a healthcare provider if you are concerned about symptoms related to air quality. Call 911 if you experience severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing or heart problems.
  • If you do not have a safe place to stay indoors, go to a public indoor space with cleaner air or air conditioning, such as a library, mall, or community center.
  • Cleaner air and/or cooling stations may be opened in Kitsap County when unhealthy air quality or extreme heat is expected. For more information and to sign up for notifications, visit the Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management's website or call 211.



LEARN MORE ABOUT AIR QUALITY AND SMOKE


© 2023 KITSAP PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT | 345 6TH STREET, SUITE 300 BREMERTON, WA 98337 | 360-728-2235 |    Terms of use & Privacy Policy   |  Staff Login

KPHD Google Analytics Page