Air Quality Warnings Issued Across Pacific Northwest as B.C. Wildfires Continue

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This summer British Columbia as seen its worst wildfires since 1958. The fires have caused evacuations, destroyed forest and agricultural land, and sent huge clouds of smoke into the sky. Winds have blown the clouds of smoke south causing local governments to issue Burn Bans and Air Quality Warnings in B.C. and in Washington and Oregon. I live in Washington and I have noticed air quality has significantly dropped in the area. Sensors have confirmed the air quality has reached the very unhealthy levels over the past couple days across large patches of the Pacific Northwest, equal in places to some of the cities with the worst air pollution in the world, making it the worst air quality in the USA. The warnings recommend to avoid prolonged exposure and strenuous activity as the smoke contains particulates and gases which can cause respiratory distress among the general population, and which can be more dangerous to people with existing conditions causing such effects as heart attack, stroke, and severe respiratory issues. The low air quality conditions are expected to last until next week and there is not a whole lot average people can do about it. If you're in the affected area keep an eye on your health and your family's health and be sure to give thanks to the brave firefighters who are out there right now working hard and risking their lives to fight these wildfires.

Sources:
1:https://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
2:http://globalnews.ca/news/3648590/b-c-wildfire-status-friday-worst-wildfire-season-in-b-c-since-1958/
3:http://www.king5.com/news/local/smoke-from-bc-fires-causes-burn-ban-poor-air-quality/460999815
4:http://www.kgw.com/weather/bc-wildfire-smoke-impacts-portland-air-quality-driving-haze-into-the-region/461306608