Caution for everyone especially for vulnerable groups
Seattle (August 20) – Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and the local health jurisdictions of King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties have issued an air quality alert for the City of Seattle.
With winds pushing smoke from British Columbia and the fires in the Cascades in our direction, we expect poor air quality to continue through Wednesday with levels reaching unhealthy for all. Check the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s website for the most recent conditions.
Everyone should take precautions, especially sensitive populations including children, older adults, and people that are pregnant, have heart or lung issues (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD), or that have had a stroke:
- Stay indoors when possible.
- Limit your physical activity outdoors, such as running, bicycling, physical labor, and sports.
- Close windows in your home, if possible, and keep the indoor air clean. If you have an air conditioner, use the “recirculation” switch. Use an indoor air filter if available.
- If you do not have an air conditioner, consider finding a public place with clean, air-conditioned indoor air like a public library or a community center. Check Seattle locations here and below.
- Avoid driving when possible. If you must drive, keep the windows closed. If you use the car’s fan or air conditioning, make sure the system recirculates air from inside the car; don’t pull air from outside.
- Schools, camps, sports teams, and daycare providers should consider postponing outdoor activities or moving them indoors.
- N95 or N100 rated masks can help protect some people from air pollution. These masks are usually available at hardware and home repair stores. Please check with your doctor to see if this appropriate for you.
As always, check with your health care provider for more specific questions and concerns. To learn more about wildfire smoke, and to subscribe to updates, visit the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s website.
Where to Stay Cool Indoors in Seattle
Libraries
The following Seattle Public Library locations are equipped with air conditioning and serve as cooling centers when the area experiences extreme heat. Please call the individual location before you go to verify open hours:
- Central Library (1000 4th Ave.) – 206-386-4636
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Ballard (5614 22nd Ave. N.W.) – 206-684-4089
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Beacon Hill (2821 Beacon Ave. S.) – 206-684-4711
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Broadview (12755 Greenwood Ave. N.) – 206-684-7519
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Capitol Hill (425 Harvard Ave. E.) – 206-684-4715
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Delridge (5423 Delridge Way S.W.) – 206-733-9125
Monday and Tuesday: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday: Closed, Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Douglass-Truth (2300 E. Yesler Way) – 206-684-4704
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Greenwood (8016 Greenwood Ave. N.) – 206-684-4086
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - High Point (3411 S.W. Raymond St.) – 206-684-7454
Monday and Tuesday: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - International District / Chinatown (713 8th Ave. S.) – 206-386-1300
Monday and Tuesday: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Madrona-Sally Goldmark (1134 33rd Ave.) – 206-684-4705
Monday and Tuesday: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday: Closed, Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Magnolia (2801 34th Ave. W.) – 206-386-4225
Monday and Tuesday: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday: Closed, Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Montlake Branch (2401 24th Ave. E.) – 206-684-4720
Monday and Tuesday: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday: Closed, Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - New Holly (7058 32nd Ave. S.) – 206-386-1905
Monday and Tuesday: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday: Closed, Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Northgate (10548 5th Ave. N.E.) – 206-386-1980
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Rainier Beach (9125 Rainier Ave. S.) – 206-386-1906
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - South Park (8604 8th Ave. S.) – 206-615-1688
Monday and Tuesday: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Wallingford (1501 N. 45th St.) – 206-684-4088
Monday and Tuesday: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday: Closed, Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Seattle Center
The Seattle Center Armory is equipped with air conditioning and will serve as a cooling center when the area experiences extreme heat. View the campus map PDF.
- Seattle Center Armory (Open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday)
Senior Centers
The following senior centers have air conditioning or are relatively cool and are open to the public. Please call the individual location before you go for open hours:
- Asian Counseling and Referral Service Senior Center (3639 Martin Luther King Way S.) – 206-695-7600
- Ballard NW Senior Center (5429 32nd Ave. NW) – 206-297-0403
- Central Area Senior Center (500 30th Ave. S.) – 206-726-4926
- Greenwood Senior Center (525 N. 85th St.) – 206-297-0875
- International Drop-In Center (7301 Beacon Ave. S.) – 206-587-3735
- Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank (85 Pike St., #200) – 206-728-2773
- The Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon St) – 206-932-4044
- Southeast Seattle Senior Center (4655 South Holly St.) – 206-722-0317
- South Park Senior Center (8201 10th S. #4) – 206-767-2544
- Sunshine Garden Chinese Senior Community Center (611 S Lane St.) housed in the Chinese Information and Service Center – 206-624-5633
- Wallingford Community Senior Center (4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., #140) – 206-461-7825
###