Residents encouraged to be aware of air quality as fires continue to burn

Although the wildfire smoke generated from surrounding fires isn’t as thick as it was in late August and early September, residents should still be mindful of the air quality, according to a local medical professional.

Tim Thornton, a physician’s assistant, certified, in the emergency department of Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson, said that staff at the hospital have seen an increase in patients needing their prescriptions due to smoke.

A healthy person notices more of an irritation, he said, but patients with health conditions such as asthma or respiratory disease, the CDC recommends a limited exposure to the smoky environment.

“As a (healthy) person, you can stand the exposure (to smoke) within normal limits” but beyond eight to 10 hours, symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath begin.

According to the CDC’s website, CDC.gov, headaches, chest pain, shortness of breath, stinging eyes and a fast heartbeat can be triggered from breathing in wildfire smoke.

“Older adults, pregnant women, children and people with preexisting respiratory and heart conditions may be more likely to get sick if they breath in wildfire smoke,” the website states.

Thornton said that if a person has to be outside, it is recommeneded that they limit their time as much as possible and try not to work hard.

“The harder you work, the harder you breathe,” he said.

Masks may help “a little” by limiting particulates, which is where the carcinogens are, but that’s if a person has “months of exposure” to the wildfire smoke, Thornton said.

Wildfire smoke doesn’t contain the manufactured carcinogens that cigarette smoke has, Thornton noted, but added that the wildfires are produced when a carbon fuel is burned and that still puts people at a risk of disease if exposed for long periods of time.

“People that smoke (cigarettes) are increasing the risk of worsening complications when out in” the smoke, he added.

The best way to combat complications from the smoke are staying hydrated and limiting exposure, Thornton said.Other ways to protect health include paying attention to local air quality reports and visibility guides, the CDC states.

For more information on wildfire smoke, visit cdc.gov and click on the “wildfire smoke” link.