Be Smoke‑Ready: Clean Air and PSPS Prep at the Lake

Is your Lake Chelan home ready for smoke season and possible power shutoffs? If you live or own in The Village at Lake Chelan, you know summer can bring hazy days and changing conditions. With a simple plan, you can keep indoor air cleaner and stay comfortable during Public Safety Power Shutoffs. Below you’ll find clear steps, local links, and showing tips that fit life at the lake. Let’s dive in.

Why smoke and PSPS matter here

Wildfire smoke can impact Chelan County for several days at a time, especially from late spring through early fall, often July to September. The 2024 Pioneer Fire brought evacuation level changes and a county emergency declaration, which is a good reminder to prepare ahead of time. You can track official updates as conditions evolve through state and local channels.

Chelan County PUD may use a Public Safety Power Shutoff, called fire safety outage management, during extreme fire risk. The utility aims to notify customers when possible and restores power after inspections confirm lines are safe. Outages can last hours to days depending on conditions.

Stay informed fast

Check air quality and smoke forecasts

Use the Washington Smoke Information and the Department of Ecology’s statewide tools to follow AQI and smoke movement for Chelan County. Start here for maps, forecasts, and practical smoke guidance: the state’s wildfire smoke page at the Department of Ecology. You can also check national tools like AirNow for added context.

• Review statewide maps and smoke updates on the Department of Ecology’s wildfire smoke page. See WA smoke guidance and maps.

Track evacuations and local status

Chelan County Emergency Management maintains an incidents map with address lookup, evacuation levels, and road information. During active events, this helps you decide whether to shelter or evacuate.

• Learn how to use the county incidents map in this local guide. View the emergency incidents map overview.

Know cleaner-air spaces nearby

Libraries in the Chelan area have served as cleaner-air and cooling spaces during smoke or heat events. Chelan-Douglas Health District shares local health alerts and guidance, and has coordinated N95 distribution during unhealthy air.

• Check public health smoke guidance and alerts. Visit Chelan-Douglas Health District.
• See the Chelan Public Library page for hours and location. Find the Chelan Public Library.

Make your home smoke ready

Set up a clean room

A clean room gives you a place with noticeably better air during smoky days.

• Pick a smaller interior room with few windows. Close windows and doors; seal gaps if needed.
• Run a portable air cleaner on high while smoke is present.
• Follow EPA’s step-by-step guidance for indoor air during wildfires. Review EPA indoor air tips.

Choose effective air filtration

• Portable HEPA purifiers. Look for a unit sized to the room and a strong Clean Air Delivery Rate. Many effective models range roughly from $100 to $800. EPA guidance recommends HEPA mechanical filtration and running the unit on a higher setting during smoke.
• DIY Corsi-Rosenthal box. A box fan plus 4 to 5 MERV 13 filters can offer high clean air output at low cost, often about $50 to $150. Replace filters when they load up. Learn about the Corsi-Rosenthal box.
• Whole-home HVAC. If you have forced air, use the highest MERV filter your system supports, ideally MERV 13 if compatible, and set the fan to ON to recirculate through the filter. Combine whole-home filtration with a portable unit in the clean room.

Use respirators and adjust daily habits

• Wear a NIOSH-approved N95, N99, or N100 outside during unhealthy air. Cloth and surgical masks are far less protective. See CDC wildfire safety guidance.
• Keep windows closed. Avoid indoor particle sources like frying, candles, and vacuuming without a HEPA-equipped vacuum.
• Watch for symptoms, especially for children, older adults, and anyone with heart or lung conditions. Follow EPA indoor air guidance.

Plan for a PSPS outage

What to expect from Chelan PUD

Chelan PUD may pre-notify customers about a possible shutoff when fire weather becomes extreme. Restoration waits until crews inspect and confirm equipment is safe. You can sign up for outage alerts and review safety guidance in one place. Start with Chelan PUD’s fire safety outage page.

Build your 72-hour kit

• Water and nonperishable food for at least 3 days, plus a manual can opener.
• Medications for 7 or more days and copies of prescriptions.
• Headlamps, flashlights, battery lanterns, spare batteries, and cash.
• Charged power banks and a plan to keep phones working.
• N95 respirators, a first-aid kit, and extra HVAC filters.
• At least one HEPA purifier or materials for a Corsi-Rosenthal box.
• Pet supplies and carriers.

Plan for medical devices

• If someone relies on powered medical equipment, register with the PUD’s Medical Electrical Needs Registry through the fire safety outage page. Coordinate with your care team and plan for batteries or a safe generator setup.

Practice safe generator use

• Operate generators outside, far from doors and windows, and follow manufacturer guidance to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Never run a generator indoors or in a garage.

Buying or selling in The Village

For sellers

• Prepare a simple “smoke-ready” folder for showings. Include HVAC settings, a note on filter type, and where to find flashlights and batteries.
• Stage a designated clean room and run a HEPA unit before and during showings. Avoid cooking or scented products that add indoor particles.
• If a smoky day coincides with a showing, share your filtration upgrades or maintenance records to give buyers confidence.

For buyers and inspections

• During the inspection, check HVAC filter type and MERV rating, furnace condition, and whether the system can run the fan continuously.
• Ask about any prior PSPS notifications and backup power plans.
• Review yard maintenance and roof/gutter condition that support overall home resilience.

For open houses and tours

• Check AQI and local status before scheduling. If air is Unhealthy, consider a virtual tour or reschedule.
• Run a HEPA unit during any indoor showing and offer N95s at the door.
• Have a backup plan if a PSPS cuts power during a tour.

Quick local resources

• Seasonal smoke guidance, maps, and AQI tools: Washington Department of Ecology smoke page
• Evacuation levels and incident map overview: Chelan County incidents map guide
• Public health alerts and smoke tips: Chelan-Douglas Health District
• Cleaner-air space info and hours: Chelan Public Library
• Indoor air and clean-room steps: EPA indoor air during wildfires
• Respirator and safety guidance: CDC wildfire safety
• Fire safety outage info and medical registry: Chelan PUD fire safety outage management
• 2024 local incident context: Pioneer Fire update on InciWeb

You can enjoy the lake lifestyle and be ready for smoky spells and outages with a simple plan tailored to your home in The Village. If you want help aligning prep with your buying or selling timeline, reach out. I live and work this market every day and can guide you through both the lifestyle and the logistics. Connect with Nick Bowler to talk next steps.

FAQs

When is smoke season in Lake Chelan?

• Washington’s smoke season often runs July through September, with episodes that can start earlier and extend into fall.

What is the fastest way to improve indoor air during smoke?

• Create a clean room and run a properly sized HEPA air purifier on high while keeping windows and doors closed.

What is a PSPS in Chelan County and how long can it last?

• A Public Safety Power Shutoff is a preventive outage during extreme fire risk that may last hours to days until lines are inspected and safe.

Are DIY Corsi-Rosenthal boxes effective for wildfire smoke?

• Yes, a box fan paired with MERV 13 filters can provide strong filtration at a low cost when built and used correctly.

Where can you find cleaner-air spaces in Chelan during unhealthy AQI?

• Local libraries have served as cleaner-air and cooling spaces, and public health updates come through the health district.

What should buyers check during an inspection for smoke readiness?

• Confirm HVAC filter type and MERV rating, system condition, ability to run the fan continuously, and any history of PSPS notifications or backup power plans.