SMOKE: Monday notes about closures/cancellations; new air-quality alert

(Monday morning photo by Stewart L.)

10:12 AM: Monday morning and still smoky. Two notes for starters, and we’ll add anything else of note related to the smoke in the hours ahead:

SEATTLE PARKS: As first reported here last night, parks, playfields, boat ramps, golf courses remain closed today because of the unhealthy air. (Added: The closures have now been extended through Wednesday.)

SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY: Curbside service is suspended again today.

(added) CITY-RUN COVID-19 TESTING SITES: Closed today, including the one at Southwest Athletic Complex.

(added) MADISON MS TEXTBOOK/MATERIALS PICKUP: Canceled for today.

Other closures/cancellations? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!

ADDED 11:36 AM: Though the air-quality alert has expired for now, an update from AlertSeattle notes, “Wildfire smoke making air quality ‘very unhealthy’ to ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ is expected to remain in the area through the middle of this week.”

1:50 PM: The expiration didn’t last long. There’s a new air-quality alert in effect through noon Thursday.

14 Replies to "SMOKE: Monday notes about closures/cancellations; new air-quality alert"

  • Trisha September 14, 2020 (11:34 am)

    Any word on protests today or this week? Kinda hard to find updates with all the smoke news

    • WSB September 14, 2020 (12:06 pm)

      The local demonstrations announce day by day – have not heard yet from Scott, who organizes the Tuesday/Thursday signholding at 16th and Holden, or Nancy, who organizes Friday at the Delridge/Oregon overpass. There is one I’ve mentioned on Twitter but haven’t written about separately yet, probably will tomorrow – the Every Day March is coming back to West Seattle on Saturday for a youth march on Alki, per one of their Instagram feeds:
      https://www.instagram.com/p/CFAb0uDpI_J/

  • anonyme September 14, 2020 (12:17 pm)

    Please, please help out birds and wildlife by putting out fresh water.  I refilled my birdbath and several water dishes yesterday, but this morning noticed that the water in all of them was a putrid dark brown.  The bottoms of the bowls were thick with sooty sediment.  I saw a squirrel approach a bowl of water for a drink, then recoil.  All of the normal water resources are probably similarly contaminated, so it’s essential that fresh water is provided for our feathered and furry friends.  I added three more bowls this morning.

    • ACG September 14, 2020 (1:08 pm)

      Thank you for the reminder!!

    • Mr. Concerned September 14, 2020 (4:55 pm)

      I have to admit I’m worried about city workers disposing our trash, yardwaste, and recycling.  They’re out there in the pandemic, and now this smoke…  Is not right to make people have to go through that.  My 2 cents.

  • Cooper williamson September 14, 2020 (1:14 pm)

    Hi my name is cooper I’m in 7th grade I’m wondering one when we are going back to school and also when do u think the smoke will clear

    • WSB September 14, 2020 (1:53 pm)

      Hi, Cooper. For the first one – depends on where you go to school, and depends on the COVID-19 risk.

      For the second, now the forecasters are saying things won’t really clear up before late in the week:
      https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=sew&wwa=air%20quality%20alert

      • Cooper September 14, 2020 (2:33 pm)

        Thanks I go to Denny middle school of u have any information on when we will go back or a link that would be grate

        • WSB September 14, 2020 (4:20 pm)

          Seattle Public Schools has not set a date yet.

    • Tim September 14, 2020 (4:51 pm)

      Cooper. Denny is doing online school. Go to the Seattleschools.org website and find Denny under schools. You can contact staff there. Or go to the students tab and select Schoology. If you know your login you can see links to your online classes.There are lots more links that can help there too.

  • School aged parent September 14, 2020 (6:40 pm)

    Cooper, I have a high school student who wishes to get back into school too! Hoping for sooner rather than later!!

  • CheeseWS777 September 14, 2020 (7:41 pm)

    I am kinda worried about my cat. Not that apollo has shown any signs of being ill or anything, but i just know the obvious that the little guys lungs are many times smaller then ours and so if some of us are having difficulties… Thats why i worry.Luckily hes an indoor cat and so he stays inside mostly but we still live in a small space with no ac so windows stay cracked. Is everybody elses pets fine so far?

    • CAM September 14, 2020 (9:44 pm)

      Me and my pets are in the same boat. I’m keeping the windows closed and have a fan in each room running all day and night to keep the air moving inside (it was recommended online somewhere but I don’t remember why). Despite the temps, it has stayed moderately okay in here. I’m still dying for some fresh air and the smoke is definitely seeping in more as time passes, but so far it’s been manageable. I haven’t noticed my guys coughing any more than usual or hydrating more than usual. If you can keep your windows closed I’d recommend it. You might be surprised how little the temp goes up. 

  • WS resident September 14, 2020 (8:57 pm)

    Cooper, I have kids in high school and middle school that can’t wait to go back to school.  I also hope they are able to at some point soon!

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