As the threat of wildfires looms larger every year, Riverview School District has initiated preparations for the potential of a larger-than-normal fire season this summer and fall. Last year, districts around the region, including Riverview, saw outdoor events, activities, recesses, and athletics postponed, delayed, and/or cancelled because of poor and unhealthy air quality.
Considering the potential of wildfire smoke existing within our community, Riverview School District and our Information Technology team are working on activating Purple Air Quality sensors for use on our district campuses. Within the last few years, Purple Air Quality sensors have become a reliable indicator of air quality, monitoring the safety of the air around us.
In the coming weeks, sensors will be installed at Cedarcrest Stadium at Cedarcrest High School, Tolt Middle School, Cherry Valley Elementary, Stillwater Elementary, the district’s Carnation campus – home to Carnation Elementary, Riverview Ancillary Programs, and Riverview Learning Center, and the Riverview School District Educational Service Center. As these sensors are registered and go online, the district will have consistent readings and up-to-the-minute data to assess wildfire smoke conditions from our very own Riverview locations.
In Riverview School District, we will be following guidance provided by Washington State Department of Health (DOH), with tools such as the Washington Air Quality Guide for School & Child Care Activities. In some instances, Riverview staff may take into consideration additional local factors and circumstances when implementing or considering these recommendations.
Earlier this month, the DOH indicated an anticipation of “above normal fire activity.” Kaitlyn Kelly, the DOH’s Air Quality Specialist stated, “We have an outlook for below normal precipitation and that’s going to last into fall, so conditions are trending to a long fire season.”
Smoke from wildfires contains fire particles and gases including carbon monoxide. Exposure to smoke can cause a number of health problems ranging from minor to severe. Those with pre-existing conditions, infants and children, pregnant individuals, adults 65 and older, and people with heart and lung disease can be most sensitive to wildfire smoke. Minor symptoms can include headaches, stinging eyes, runny nose, and trouble breathing.
The health and safety of Riverview students and staff is our highest priority. We feel it is important to inform the community of our next steps, sharing the tools and information we will be utilizing to make safe decisions around any potential impacts we experience in our community during wildfire season.