Air quality across Clark County continues to be in the unhealthy to very unhealthy range as the Nakia Creek Fire burns on in east county. In Vancouver, the air quality index was around 150 to 170 as of Wednesday afternoon, while areas nearer the fire, including Washougal and Battle Ground, pushed 195, according to purpleair.com. Smoke from the wildfire has affected much of Western Washington and Oregon, all along the Interstate 5 corridor. “Air quality is currently unhealthy in Clark County. Everyone should reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor activity. Keep your windows and doors closed, and set your AC to recirculate to keep smoky air from being drawn inside,” Clark County Public Health said on Twitter. Officials are urging individuals to take steps to reduce exposure to the pollutants in the air. This means limiting time spent outside, avoiding strenuous activity and wearing an N95 mask if you do go outdoors, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

The agency also recommends a number of measures to keep indoor air clean:  Close your windows and doors.  Do not add to indoor air pollution by actions such as burning candles or smoking indoors.  If you have an air conditioning unit, set it to recirculate. “We’re urging residents, given the air conditions, to monitor their local air quality and take steps to protect themselves, protect their health while the air is unhealthy,” Clark County Public Health Director Dr. Alan Melnick said in a media briefing Tuesday. Unhealthy, smoky air can cause health problems, according to Clark County Public Health. Some symptoms include: sore throat, headaches, burning eyes, coughing, runny nose, shortness of breath or chest pain. If you are experiencing severe symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, Clark County Public Health urges individuals to seek medical attention. “We’re also recommending at this level for people to keep children indoors and canceling children’s outdoor events,” Melnick said. School districts in the area have suspended all outdoor activities, hopeful to return later in the week as air quality is forecasted to improve Thursday. A Stage 2 burn ban was issued for Clark, Cowlitz and Lewis counties effective until noon Thursday, according to a press release from the Southwest Clean Air Agency. This means all outdoor burning along with the use of fireplaces, wood stoves and inserts is prohibited until further notice. The release does note that if wood burning is the only source of heat for your residence you are exempt, though asked to burn as clean as possible. More information about air quality can be found at swcleanair.gov, airnow.gov or wasmoke.blogspot.com.