Believe it or not, there is a mile long island a half mile away, and it cannot be seen due to forest fire smoke. The Air Quality index is currently at 1650. It is considered unsafe for anyone to be outdoors now. And I can even smell the smoke inside the house now. There are no birbs flying around the yard and not even insects are in the air.
Usually, we can blame forest fire smoke on Canada, I do live quite close to the border. But this year, it’s our own forests that are on fire. I’m about 150 miles west of the fires and the smoke caught up with us yesterday and has just gotten worse and will remain so until the fires are put out I think.
Kind of makes me glad I’m waiting on knee surgery next week and can’t walk well enough to be out and about wandering the forest.
You may want to get some N100/P100 respirators for situations like this.
I do have a stash of supposedly N95s. But unless they are fit tested to be sure they seal your face correctly, they leak enough to be nearly useless. It’s why, when I was volunteer firefighter, we fit tested every year. It was imperative your SCBA mask fit you properly for this level of smoke exposure.
Yes, there has to be a proper seal. If the choices are to breathe in the smoke without any filter between the smoke and your airways, or wearing a respirator with a suboptimal seal, I’d personally go with the respirator. It’s no magic bullet, of course.
Also I probably don’t live near you, but thank you for volunteering as a firefighter.
I do have masks, but the best plan is to not go outside if there is no need. I have nowhere I need to go. So I’m staying inside for the next few days. And have a pint until this all blows over, as they say.
Six pints of bitter, said Ford Prefect. And quickly please, the world’s about to end.
What’s wrong with being drunk?
I don’t have 6 pints and the world ain’t ending. But I do have a few beers in the refrigerator. And beer is excellent for cutting the smoke and making you feel better.
At the Winchester
It ain’t the Winchester here, but I do have a few beers, bottle of Scotch and a bit of gin.
Better to have a mask than no mask if it’s dangerous. Even if it’s imperfect. Just understand the limitations and don’t go for a marathon run.
I have masks that claim to be N95, but they are not. In any case the best plan of action is simply to not go outside and take health risks I don’t need to. I have nowhere I need to go, so I’m staying in the house.