It shows up so reliably now that some call it “the fifth season” - those darkened skies, smells of smoke, and days of indoor confinement. Many of us have lived with it long enough to learn from it.
The Fifth Season is a series of audio stories from people in the Methow Valley and North Central Washington who have found ways to build wildfire smoke resilience. Their experiences can help us protect ourselves and our loved ones the next time the smoke rolls in.
“My own children speak about a fifth season called the fire season. And I hear that term used by many throughout our community now. Many speculate- similar to how they might with regard to winter and snowfall- many speculate as to what the wildfire season might bring this year.”
Godwins/Tom Venable
Keeping kids safe inside
Colm Godwin has asthma. His parents Cara and Eric have found ways to protect him from smoke while he's at home. It's the job of Tom Venable, Superintendent of the Methow Valley School District, to protect him while he's at school. They've all three relied on help from Clean Air Methow as they've developed new smoke-ready habits.
“Every place you live has something, whether it's really heavy rain, or tornadoes, or hurricanes or whatever it is. Wildfire smoke is just part of our life. A couple years ago, it felt a lot more stressful, because we didn't know how to plan for it. And now we just work it into our plans.”
-Cara Goodwin
Albert
Ode to an air purifier
Albert Isensee has lived in Okanogan County since the 1950s. He has some health conditions that put him at risk from smoke exposure, but he doesn't plan to leave the area. There's been smoke here for as long as he can remember. Luckily, methods for cleaning indoor air have improved.
“It's just a fact of life here. So if a person chooses to live here, they better figure out ways to deal with it.” - Albert Insensee
Dr. Wallace
Funks are normal
Dr. James Wallace is a family physician raising his family in Okanogan County. He routinely treats patients who experience not only lung but also mental health effects from wildfire smoke events. These effects are common and normal. Methow Valley community members have identified some helpful ways to cope.
“Community is oftentimes what gets us through some of the worst natural disasters, so make sure you're not isolating yourself too much.” -Dr. James Wallace
Laura Rivera
Protecting outdoor workers
Laura Rivera has lived in North Central Washington since she was three. Her family is from Mexico. When she was younger no one told her much about the wildfire smoke that choked her and burned her eyes. Now she educates other community members about how to limit the health impacts of smoke exposure- a message with particular importance for those who work outdoors.
“I've lived in Chelan County since I was three. And I've seen the effects of wildfire smoke every year. But I was also a part of that group where we didn't really get the information.” -Laura Rivera
Kathy Moses
Getting information to the community
As the communications specialist for the Colville Tribe Environmental Trust Program, and a public information officer for the Mt. Tolman Fire Center, it's Kathy Moses's job to tell people where fires are, what the evacuation plans are, and how to stay safe. That often puts her outside during wildfire smoke events. To Kathy, it's worth the health risks because she's helping members of her community stay safe.
“It's important to notify communities about what's going on with wildfires. I look at it as my public service and something I can do for my community.” -Kathy Moses
Mayor Soo
The right mayor for the moment
Before she became the Mayor of Twisp in 2010, Soo Ing-Moody studied wildfire resilience in rural communities as a graduate student in Germany. So, when the Carlton Complex Fire broke out in 2014, she knew in her heart that she was where she was supposed to be. Now, seven years later, she has some lessons to share with other towns.
“Sometimes there are things beyond a community's control. However, how we react to it, our preparedness, really does determine to a large degree the outcome, the gravity, or the extent of potential damage.” -Mayor Soo
The Fifth Season was produced by the University of Washington Interdisciplinary Center for Exposures, Diseases, Genomics & Environment and Communication Leadership program, in collaboration with Clean Air Methow.
It was envisioned by Liz Walker and Nicole Errett, narrated by Lazo Gitchos, and written and edited by Rachel Miller-Howard with support from Lisa Hayward. Music is by Lynette Westendorf. Funding for the project comes from National Institutes of Health grant number P30ES007033.