South Sound News

South Sound officials warning of air quality say people should stay inside

TACOMA, Wash. — There’s still no relief from the smoke coming from more than 100 fires burning in British Columbia and the air could continue to be hazy throughout the weekend.

As a result, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has been advising people to stay indoors.

Officials say the air quality in the city is so poor that it's twice as bad as the air in Beijing.

The Chinese capital city is world renowned for its air pollution, and Saturday is the earliest that the air could begin to clear.

The health department is so concerned about the air quality that it’s asking any sports teams to cancel outdoor practice and advising people to not exercise outdoors.

Meanwhile, in Seattle, people concerned that the hazy skies will affect the Blue Angels performance on Seafair weekend should be comforted to know they will at least perform their low-ceiling show, if not the high show.

A burn ban is still in effect throughout the area, meaning no campfires or fire pits.

The 136 fires currently burning in British Columbia have forced 6,000 people to evacuate and hundreds of firefighters are being flown in.