See those green circles out on the coast? That's cleaner air making its way inland! In the Puget Sound region, smoke should start clearing out around noon today, with rain starting midday Friday. More on the big switch at wasmoke.blogspot.com/2022/10/yes-ra
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WA Department of Ecology
@EcologyWA
Official Washington state Department of Ecology account. Protecting, preserving and enhancing Washington's environment for current and future generations.
WA Department of Ecology’s Tweets
It's never too late to learn more about compost! Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week all year long by using our library of free, online resources. #icaw #compost #savesoil #compostweek ecology.wa.gov/compost
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That's not how it was supposed to go. The system we were counting on to bring us some relief has... not. The smoke is mostly still here, and light southerly winds are bringing more from OR at least through Tues. wasmoke.blogspot.com/2020/09/atmosp
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Lots of attention this week on wildfire smoke hitting the NE part of the U.S. If you're in NY or NJ, everyone here in WA feels your pain! We've got tips on protecting yourself from smoke and a video on making a simple and effective air filter fan - ecology.wa.gov/Air-Climate/Ai.
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The smoke is not clearing as fast as we hoped, but help is on the way. You can see the cleaner marine air out off the coast - it just has a huge amount of smoke to push out before it can reach us. It will be Monday before W. WA sees major improvements. wasmoke.blogspot.com/2020/09/where-
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It's bad out there. Air quality is very unhealthy to hazardous across most of W. WA. The silver lining is that this is as bad as it should get, although clearing won't start until Sunday (Monday for E. WA). Stay indoors, stay safe. Forecast - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2020/09/gasp-h
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Here's the forecast we've been dreading: A huge mass of smoke from wildfires in OR and CA has been building up off the coast. It's now headed our way. W. WA, SW WA, the Columbia Basin and Spokane will wake up to "unhealthy" air quality Friday. Forecast - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2020/09/smoke-
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Happy Friday! Here's just one of the reasons we love the #PNW and why we work to restore and protect our environment. Thanks to for this amazing footage of the Southern Resident killer whales in #PugetSound.
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We are on scene of the train derailment in Custer. Seven cars derailed and five are burning. A Unified Command has been set up with and . More to come.
This has been a long time coming. E. WA, your wait is almost over.
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Just a reminder: This smoke storm isn’t just bad - it’s historically bad. wasmoke.blogspot.com/2020/09/is-thi
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Trash piled up along our roadsides this winter, but don't fear-our litter crew superheroes are here!💪They are out working for safer, litter free roads. Do your part to prevent costly litter and help others do the same. Learn more at ecology.wa.gov/eyc #LitterFreeWA
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Washington’s statewide ban on single-use plastic bags starts on October 1st! ⏰
Help keep WA litter free by bringing in your own bag when you shop. ♻️🛒 #LitterFreeWA #WAbagban
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Single-use plastic bag ban begins Oct. 1 in Washington State. zcu.io/ReMy
No pollution or hull damage detected at this time. Ecology responders on the way to the scene.
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#Walla Walla ran aground in Rich Passage at approx. 4:30 pm enroute to Seattle from Bremerton. No reports of injuries. Tug boat on the way. Initial indications are the vessel suffered a generator failure; an official investigation will be conducted. Updates to follow.
White Salmon River restoration - one of many funded by Ecology to improve water quality and restore habitat!
How it started: How it's going:
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With the extreme heat this week, you might think those beautiful sunsets and hazy mornings in W. Washington are coming from wildfire smoke. Not so. What you're seeing is "secondary biogenic aerosols" that are producing particulate pollution and ozone - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2021/06/it-isn
Many parts of W. WA saw a little rain overnight. It felt good, but it didn't help that much with particulate pollution levels. Air quality is still in the very unhealthy to hazardous range. Keep an eye on our monitors and continue to protect yourself - enviwa.ecology.wa.gov/home/map
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Most years, this would be a terrible air quality map. In 2020? Progress! None of our monitors are reading "hazardous" this morning, and there's only one spot of "very unhealthy" left west of the Cascades. A sloooooow clear-out is underway. Forecast - wasmoke.blogspot.com
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If you want to know WHY the clearing we pinned our hopes on failed to launch, head to the WA Smoke blog, where our forecaster has an interesting (if depressing) explanation - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2020/09/atmosp. Short version - little ventilation on the coast.
Ecology & the Marine Spill Response Corporation are responding to a BNSF train derailment on the Swinomish Reservation in Anacortes. ~5000 gallons of diesel leaked at this time. Spill happened on a berm & most of diesel leaked on land side. No injuries.
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Western WA can breathe easy for now. We're seeing green again. Onshore winds are to thank. Eastern WA still suffering with local fires.
Here's the latest smoke forecast map for Tuesday and Wednesday. Despite the rain, not a lot of improvement - air quality will stay in the unhealthy range in W. WA and very unhealthy in E. WA. Big improvements will have to wait for Friday. Full forecast - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2020/09/overni
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Ah, RELIEF! Air quality alerts are over and the PNW feels like the PNW again!
Quiet (and clean!) start to the week in air quality. The smoke will worsen mid-week in E. WA. Some potential for smoke in W. WA later in the week. Keep an eye on wasmoke.blogspot.com for updates.
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A super-massive body of wildfire smoke from fires in OR and CA is beginning to move into WA, and air quality is declining. This image shows our smoke forecast for Friday - not great - and Saturday looks worse. Keep up with the forecast at enviwa.ecology.wa.gov/home/text/421#. #WAWildfires
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Happy, little dolphins 🐬 🌈
Did you know there are a few dolphin species in Puget Sound? These appear to be “common dolphins” but we think they’re quite special.
#pugetsound #dolphins #salishsea #porpoise #WAsummer
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Our latest smoke forecast still shows W. WA. beginning to clear on Friday and reaching "moderate" to "good" air quality by early Saturday morning, while E. WA should get there by Sunday morning. wasmoke.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-wo
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The good news: 75% of Washingtonians don’t litter. The bad news: our 2022 litter study shows 24,001 pieces of litter/mile on WA’s urban interstate hwys and 30,948 pieces on interchanges! Litter is big problem with simple solutions. We need everyone to do their part. #LitterFreeWA
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Not littering - it’s as simple as using a car litter bag!
Starting today, we’re giving away free litter bags at all WA stores while supplies last! Just visit the customer service counter to get one. Learn more: LitterFreeWA.org/simple #LitterFreeWA
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Yikes! That is not a pretty air quality map. Not a good night to enjoy the patio. Find the latest forecast and more at wasmoke.blogspot.com
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AIR QUALITY ALERT for King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Island, Skagit & Whatcom counties, 6 a.m. Sat. – 6 p.m. Sun. Unhealthy to very unhealthy conditions predicted. Sensitive groups should limit time outdoors; healthy people may have symptoms. Monitor at: wasmoke.blogspot.com
Hang in there Puget Sounders. Wind will provide some relief from wildfire smoke today, although it may not last. Read more about the smoke that just won’t go away: wasmoke.blogspot.com/2022/10/we-lov
Air quality continues to worsen across much of the state. Protect yourself from smoke by staying indoors. If you have AC, set it to recirculate. Don't have AC? You can make a simple box-filter fan that can gradually remove smoke from a room. Learn how - ecology.wa.gov/Air-Climate/Ai
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The 2021 numbers are in! Last year, litter crews spent over 125,000 hours picking up more than 5 million pounds of trash along our roadways. Thank you to our crews & partners for working together towards a #LitterFreeWA! 🦺
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Air quality in the Pacific Northwest is some of the worst in the world this week, with Portland, OR, on the top of the list and Seattle coming in at No. 4. On the WA Smoke Blog, one of our atmospheric scientists digs into that comparison - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2020/09/since-
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Did you know that the merchant ship Zim Kingston lost an estimated 106 shipping containers in rough seas outside the Strait of Juan de Fuca? The Canadian Coast Guard is asking anyone who spots a container to immediately contact their Hotline at 1-800-889-8852. #Zimkingston
We're seeing some smoke overhead from fires in BC and CA. That smoke will mix down to ground level in E. WA later today, with air quality in the moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups range by Sat. A wind shift Sun. will improve air quality. Details - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2021/07/indepe
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Smoke from the #BoltCreekFire near Skykomish and the #GoatCreekFire near Packwood will affect large parts of W. WA today, with air quality reaching "unhealthy" levels. Snohomish and Lewis counties will see the worst AQ. Full forecast - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2022/09/bolt-c
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We knew it was too good to last - starting to see smoke from both CA and BC wildfires in W. Washington, likely to worsen Friday. The smoke is not expected to stick around, though - a cold front arriving Sunday should clear things out. Full forecast - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2021/08/wester
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You've likely heard of 6PPD by now - toxic tire dust killing coho salmon. By working with our partners on research, stormwater infrastructure, and safer alternatives, we are on the path to tackling 6PPD & better protecting salmon
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Masks have been littering our ecosystems throughout the pandemic. Be sure to properly throw away your single-use masks to help protect Washington wildlife. 😷🌲LitterFreeWA.org#LitterFreeWA @WashingtonStateParks
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Fires near Nespelem, Asotin, Mazama and Yakima are producing smoke and reducing air quality across large sections of Eastern Washington today. Gusty winds Wednesday and Thursday will keep the fire danger high. Latest forecast - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2021/07/new-an
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Air quality in most of the state is still in the very unhealthy to hazardous range and looks to stay there.
Historic day as Puget Sound is designated a no discharge zone! The action will protect shellfish beds, swimming beaches, and other areas are that are especially vulnerable to bacteria in vessel sewage. ecy.wa.gov/ndz
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Really tough night out there for smoke and dust across much of our state. We've got some tips on protecting yourself and your family at ecology.wa.gov/Air-Climate/Ai. Stay safe, everyone.
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Happy #InternationalBeaverDay! These industrious rodents provide valuable environmental benefits - plus they're pretty darn cute. 🦫
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Some people use their truck beds as mobile garbage cans. Sure it’s handy, but loose trash becomes airborne and turns into roadside litter. Do your part for a #LitterFreeWA by keeping your truck bed clean and properly securing all items. #SecureLoadsWA
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As the winds start to slacken, we're left with a complex air quality picture. North central WA is still seeing impacts from large fires. A fire in Skamania and fires in OR may cause problems in SW WA. W. WA is improving, but smoke may linger. Forecast - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2020/09/statew
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If you see one of these monuments on the road this spring, it means our crews are in the area removing the mess of litter that has accumulated over the winter. Help keep them safe by staying alert and being ready to slow down and move over. ecology.wa.gov/eyc
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NEWS: Ecology denies shoreline permit for Kalama methanol facility.
A major increase in greenhouse gas emissions and impacts on Washington’s shorelines and environment among the reasons for denying the permit.
News release: ecology.wa.gov/news/KalamaPer
Still smell like a campfire in your area? That's likely fresh smoke from Vancouver Island fires. Air quality in W Wash. should be mostly in good-unhealthy for sensitive groups range, but occasional smoke is likely for next several days. wasmoke.blogspot.com
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China’s new import restrictions on some recycled material shook
the recycling world. Once valuable recyclables are now piling up or being thrown away. We’ve proposed legislation to create a sustainable recycling system right here in WA #WALEG #WARecycles bit.ly/2CkyM0e
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How bad has the smoke been? Well, a new Ecology analysis shows that more of our state has been stuck with hazardous air quality for longer than any time since our current records began in 2006 (*other years had longer but less acute smoke impacts) - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2020/09/is-thi
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Not to make light of a serious health threat, but maybe it kinda helps knowing that it's not your imagination or your faulty memory - it really is that bad. Help is on the way late Thu. into Fri. In the meantime, stay safe out there.
Check out that green on the coast! Change is on the way. (But for now, remember that air quality is still unhealthy to very unhealthy in much of the state, and continue to protect yourself). Current conditions - enviwa.ecology.wa.gov/home/map
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The recent general trend for slowly improving air quality continued overnight. There are even some locations toward the coast that have improved into the Good category. #wawx
Washington's beauty depends on everyone doing their part to prevent litter. Small daily actions have a big impact. Use a car litter bag, put your trash in a bin, and talk with your friends and family about not littering. #LitterFreeWA shorturl.at/ghOS8
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On Jan. 1, WA restaurants and cafeterias will stop automatically including single-use food service items like utensils, ketchup packets and cold cup lids with orders.🍴A new waste reduction law leaves it to customers to decide which items they need. ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Who-w
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52 years ago today, President Lyndon Johnson signs a bill creating the North Cascades National Park. How fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful state! 🏔️😍 #NationalParks #NPS
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Don't panic, but we're starting to see some smoke back in the Puget Sound region, and expect a little more on Wed. Air quality shouldn't be worse than "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups," and we should be back to "Good" by Thursday. Full forecast at wasmoke.blogspot.com/2018/08/methow
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The number of zero-emission, all-electric buses on Washington's roads will more than double in the months ahead as we use $13.3 million from the VW settlement to help transit agencies buy 50 new buses. ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-t
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A tale of two sunsets - Friday and tonight. Air quality will remain in the unhealthy range overnight, but we should see some improvement Sunday in W WA. Keep an eye on conditions at wasmoke.blogspot.com.
We’re expecting increasing air stagnation across much of Washington beginning this weekend, which may allow pollution to build up. Avoid burning unless necessary, and if you do start a fire, make sure you burn clean. ecology.wa.gov/Air-Climate/Ai.
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Congratulations, Washington! We're on the way to accomplishing serious reductions in greenhouse gas emissions with today's historic adoption of regulations for a new cap-and-invest program! #ClimateEmergency #ClimateActionNow #NoPlanetB
The National Secure Your Load Day on June 6th commemorates people whose lives were taken or impacted by unsecured loads, which cause 300+ crashes every year in WA, including 5 fatalities in 2022. SecureLoadsWA.org for info. #SecureLoadsWA @WATargetZero
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& Ecology spend $9M/year on litter pickup, but can only clean a fraction of what’s on our roadways. Let’s prevent this litter from hitting the ground in the first place! Your small daily actions have a big impact. Do your part for a #LitterFreeWA
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We are getting there. Our patience has been sorely tested this week, but the long-promised clear-out is progressing. Slowly. The coast is much improved now, and air quality in W. WA is on track to be good to moderate by Sat., E. WA by Sun. New forecast - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2020/09/slow-i
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WA is smoked out & our air quality is the worst in the U.S. Our latest forecast says smoke will linger thru weekend bit.ly/WAsmoke18
We're getting lots of ???s asking, "Is the smoke coming back?!" Sorta - more smoke from CA wildfires is on its way, but most should stay aloft. Aloft =
pretty sunsets. Enough smoke will come down to push air quality into the moderate range in W WA - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2020/09/mama-m
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Removing hard structures from the beach and using more environmentally-friendly erosion control techniques allows Puget Sound shorelines to return to a more natural state. Learn more here: ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/Aug
How it started: How it's going:
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There's still time to make your own clean air fan.👇🏽
Como hacer su propio filtro de aire limpio: youtube.com/watch?v=paDqiI
제목: 개인용 공기정화 장치: youtu.be/zqlWd8-74CU
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Woot, woot! It's raining in parts of Western WA! And, air quality is good. Let's hope relief comes to Eastern WA & green dots appear soon.
Our Secure Your Load for Safer Roads campaign is a partnership with state agencies, local governments, hardware stores & media outlets to encourage secured loads, save lives & prevent litter. #SecureLoadsWA ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Who-w
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The beauty and wonder and magnificence of Puget Sound is certainly worth saving. It is the heart of the PNW!
Thank you to all the voices who have spoken up on behalf of Puget Sound the past couple days while in Washington D.C.
#PugetSound #SaveOurSound #SaveAmericasSound
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Living in Washington, there's so much to be thankful for. Our waters is just one. It provides each of us life, joy, and opportunity. Happy Thanksgiving!
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It doesn’t look great this morning, but air quality is hanging in the good or moderate range in the Puget Sound region. May worsen slightly, but we don’t expect another smoke-mageddon. Keep an eye on the smoke forecast - enviwa.ecology.wa.gov/home/text/421#
Historically dry conditions in March and April have prompted a drought advisory for most of the state, including all areas east of the Cascade Mountains, portions of southwest Washington and the coast.
ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-t
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Updated smoke forecast: Onshore winds this morning cleared out the smoke just as expected in western WA. Relief for eastern WA will begin this evening, but that wind will also raise the fire risk. More smoke likely by mid-week in E. WA. More details - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2021/08/relief
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⚠ 10 beaches in the Puget Sound region are now under a no-water-contact advisory. Jefferson, King, Mason, & Thurston counties are affected. Water is unsafe for swimming.
The heatwave likely acted as an incubator causing a spike in fecal bacteria. More: ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/Jul
Bad news: LOTS of smoke out there today working its way eastward over WA. Good news - we're expecting air quality to slowly begin improving on Sunday. Full forecast - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2020/09/statew
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Great news to share today! The No Discharge Zone means protection from vessel sewage for shellfish beds and swimming beaches in Puget Sound.
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Its confirmed: Puget Sound is no place for vessel sewage. Thank you @EPA for reaffirming your decision on the Puget Sound No Discharge Zone and protecting this iconic waterbody from pollution. #PugetSoundNDZ
Story on our blog: ecology.wa.gov/NDZupdate
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Air quality won't be great in Western Washington this weekend. Keep up to date on changing wildfire smoke conditions at: wasmoke.blogspot.com.
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The overall air quality will be MODERATE for most of our region for the next few days from wildfire smoke. Some areas closer to US Route 2, Darrington, & east King & Snohomish County may reach UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS, UNHEALTHY, or worse at times.
Unsecured loads are dangerous, illegal, expensive, and preventable. Through June 26, we are working with Secure Your Load for Safer Roads partners , and to increase road safety and reduce roadside litter #SecureLoadsWA ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Who-w
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Before it erupted 40 years ago this morning, May 18, the top of #MountStHelens was a perfectly rounded peak. But see that little dome in the middle? The mountain is growing back its peak, a couple of inches a year.
We've adopted regulations for Washington's Zero Emissions Vehicle Standard - and that means more choices are on the way for people buying electric cars and trucks. Learn more - ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/Nov
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400 million pounds! That's the total weight of the electronics we have collected through E-Cycle WA. It’s equal to 10 laptops for every person in the state. Now that’s a benchmark! Find your FREE drop off location for TVs and computers by going to ecyclewashington.org. #eCycle
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How it started...
The first Ecology director is sworn in in 1970.
How it's going...
We're still out there protecting and preserving the environment 50 years later.
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Today, we're celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of our nation's best ideas - protecting clean water for our environment, our communities, and our future. #CleanWater50
Did you know Washington is the largest shellfish producer in the U.S.? We are working to improve water quality to maintain this important industry for the benefit of our economy and our dinner tables! 👩🍳 Learn how you can help:
ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-i
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Ecology is responding to a crude oil spill at Shell Puget Sound Refinery in Anacortes. Alaskan north slope crude oil was being transferred from a barge to the facility. A containment boom was in place. The volume of the spill is not yet know. We'll report more once on scene.
BAD NEWS:
AIR QUALITY ALERTS have been extended throughout the week for much of the state due to wildfire smoke.
Keep track of NWS Alerts at alerts.weather.gov/cap/wa.php?x=1
GOOD NEWS:
RAIN is in the forecast for this weekend!
Check air monitors at wasmoke.blogspot.com
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Here's the current smoke forecast for Friday. Still not perfect, but a lot better than where we've been for the past week. enviwa.ecology.wa.gov/home/text/421#
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Rain! Glorious rain means air monitors are mostly green again and no significant fire spread is expected. That's great air quality news.
MAY 18, 1980: Former employee & geologist Keith Stoffel, flying over the north face of Mount St. Helens saw it "transform into a fluid — rippling, pulsating, churning. Then it collapsed, shearing 1,300 feet off the summit in seconds." NYT 👇
nytimes.com/2020/05/18/sci
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While some may see beavers as a nuisance, they can also be ecologically beneficial. One of our streamflow grants went to program designed to help people live comfortably alongside these industrious rodents. Read more at ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/Feb
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Responders are still on scene tonight waiting for the fire to subside before fire officials put it out completely.
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Much of the state is under an Air Quality Alert this morning, so take precautions as you start your day. The good news is that air quality should begin to improve Sat. and a cold front Sun. will really clean things up (except near major fires). Forecast - wasmoke.blogspot.com/2021/08/wester
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