While we had long term exposure to smoke from wildfire conditions in the Interior, some reports are now coming out about the health effects on people breathing the wood smoke over a period of time. Respiratory problems, kidney conditions, heart stress, and other effects are just some of the concerns people have faced.

Hiking the hills in the smoke is a big concern. On doctor told me that the particulate matter inhaled in these conditions make take months to get out of our system. The general advice offered by the medical community is to stay indoors. Here is a good information bulletin:

• Wildlfire FAQs (Oregon)

We are used to hiking all summer, but we also have to use our common sense. he damage from exercise in smoky conditions is greater than the benefits from any single exercise session. Next summer it will be a new HEPA filter on my furnace and sessions on a treadmill indoors or a yoga session in a good studio.