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How Washington's wildlife handle smoky air conditions

Experts with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife said wildlife in our region have adapted to smoke over time and they know exactly what to do.
Wildfire smoke in the Inland Northwest is causing changes in wildlife behavior. (Photo: Kierra Elfalan)

SPOKANE, Wash. — Wildfire smoke has created unhealthy air across Washington state. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is encouraging everyone to stay indoors as much as possible.

That's good advice for humans, but what about Washington wildlife? Animals are also trying to avoid the smoke.

A biologist with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife said wild animals have adapted to smoke over time, and they know exactly what to do.

"They're going to try to get away from it in the sense of hunkering down in areas that are cooler," said Michael Atamian, a wildlife biologist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. "They are going to get down (into) and probably the creeks and the water bodies. The best thing we can do for wildlife is leave them alone, let them be where they want to be and (cause) as little stress as possible," he said. "Running in this isn't good for us, running animals and wildlife in this is not good for them."

RELATED: How to keep your pets safe in unhealthy air quality

Seattle's air quality is currently considered "unhealthy."

Spokane’s air quality index was “hazardous” Monday but improved to “unhealthy for some groups” on Tuesday.

In Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the air quality is still listed as “very unhealthy.”

Even though the smoke can affect wildlife animals over time, Atamian said he isn't seeing any immediate health impacts to the animals.

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