Effects of smoke?

[kelownagirl]

We have a lot of forest fire smoke here in the valley from the Washington fires. This evening I rode my bike around the block which included one fairly steep hill in which I had to get down to my granniest gear and puff my way up. Normally, I get to the top and spin for a minute or two to catch my breath. Today I could barely breathe and my chest was just aching. I wasn't wheezing (I hadn't used my puffer because I was only going to ride 2-3km) - it was actual lung pain. An hour later, my chest still hurts. I noticed a similar chest/lung pain after I rode a TT route as fast as I could earlier this week. Anyone else riding in a smoky area?

The smoke doesn't bother me under normal conditions...

barb

[Kano]

Yeah, here too, Barb. They say the air is twice as bad as Los Angeles, and they're calling it a "super red alert" or something like that.

School districts are cancelling all outdoor activities -- like, football practice, etc. They're not just cautioning people with allergies, heart/lung conditions, and small children. They're saying healthy people are going to be having problems too, and that we all have to be careful until the smoke clears. The smoke will lighten up for a day or three here and there, but won't really clear without an end to the fire season.

I have sinuses, not asthma, and have been taking stuff for a couple of weeks now -- more and more regularly to keep the head from plugging up. Tonight, though, my chest feels this air, and yes, it's painful! I didn't ride today, just babysat my grandkids and went to work. I was indoors all day and evening.

Our bedroom smells very smokey tonight, and I'm putting off going to bed!

Tater commutes every day, and I can't help but worry -- haven't even met her yet! Be careful out there Tater!

Karen in Boise

[Tater]

Tater commutes every day, and I can't help but worry -- haven't even met her yet! Be careful out there Tater!

Karen in Boise

Thanks, Karen! This morning I didn't realize they were advising people to avoid outdoor exercise until AFTER I got to work and heard it on the radio. The ride in wasn't bad, my throat is a bit scratchy but that's all. I will be taking it easy on the way home, though.

Mr. Tater is having a hard time with the smoke. His sinuses are stuffed, his nose is running like a faucet and he's having a hard time getting to sleep. Poor guy! We seriously need some rain and cooler temperatures around the area to help out the firefighters!

[yellow]

We're getting some of it here, too, though we don't have it like you do in Whydaho. I kept thinking it was cloudy all day and then when I went out I realized it was smoke. Didn't seem to bother me on my commute, though.

Poor Mr Tater. Maybe he needs to hop on his motorbike and go somewhere where the air is better for a few days. I'm sure he'd hate that!

[colby]

We've got some up here, too, lots of really hazy days lately. I don't know if there is any field burning going on over there on the Idaho side of me, but that always drives me nuts, too.

Regardless -- it needs to rain!! We had a couple of cloudy days that were just great, then back to the usual...