Island Smoke Warrants Health Alerts

— from Orcas Fire and Rescue Chief Mik Preysz —

Smoke from fires over British Columbia are clouding our air. Health alerts in effect. Photo from US National Weather Service

Orcas Island Fire and Rescue would like to let our Island residents know that we do not have any fires on our Island. The smokey haze seen island-wide is due to weather conditions that are streaming smoke from British Columbia wildfires. More than 69 wildfires are burning in British Columbia alone, with the largest plume coming from Pemberton. The Portage Island fire near Bellingham, which is adding to the smoke plume, is reported to be 100 % contained and 90% under control.

Our advice to our community for individuals with asthma or smoke allergies is to stay indoors as much as possible while the worst of the smoke remains in our area.

We will update our community with any information for improving or worsening conditions. Furthermore, we will make sure to advise through the media, our website and Facebook page of any active fires and their status, should they occur on our island.

We are advising everyone to use extreme caution when out in the vegetation and exercise fire safety by: no smoking, no fireworks of any kind or any fires other than in designated and appropriately prepared 2 x 2 fire pit. In addition, we ask our community to refrain if possible from using campfires and be ready for a complete burn ban as early as next Friday, July 10.

Thank you for your support and diligence in being “FireWise” in our community. For more information visit our website www.orcasfire.org , contact us by email at info@orcasfire.org , or phone us at (360) 376-2331.