Why Heed Smoke Signals?

The smoke signal is one of the oldest forms of long-distance communication. It is a form of visual communication used over long distance. In general smoke signals are used to transmit news, signal danger, or gather people to a common area.

The past 10 days have been filled with both literal and figurative smoke signals. In this article I shall explore the value of smoke signals, how I have reacted to them, and then ask you what smoke signals you have received and how you are dealing with them.

So far this month (November, 2018), wildfires include the Woolsey Fire and Camp Fire, The latter has thus far killed 94 people and destroyed more than 10,321 structures, becoming both California's deadliest and most destructive wildfire on record.[21]

The past couple days air quality in the San Francisco Bay area was the highest in the world until today. Yesterday it was "Hazardous." Today it is "Unhealthy," especially for people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and those who exert themselves heavily or for prolonged periods of time. Following are the smoke signals that I received and how I responded:

KQED Science offered the following advice on How to Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke:

• Check local air quality reports.
• Keep indoor air clean.
• In homes without air conditioning, keep doors and windows closed. 
• Avoid activities that increase indoor pollution.
• Wash your nose out and gargle with clean water.
• Take a shower and wash your clothing after being outside.
• Choose a respirator mask labeled N95 or N100. 
• Avoid bandannas, towels, or tissue. 

How I Responded

Last week Sunday, I donned a face mask to ward off smoke inhalation and helped out a friend at the Farmer's Market. Last Tuesday and Wednesday, I cared for my grandchild because his school was closed down due to the smoke from the fires. Tuesday we hosted visiting relatives. Wednesday we dug up respiration masks in the house and visited a children's museum for almost three hours, then read books, and painted with watercolors in the house. Thursday I purchased more face masks.

By Friday, the smoke was getting really bad. My family started texting information on how to reduce smoke inhalation. With information in hand, I drove around the county to find packs of respirator masks for their offices and locate box fans and filters to construct low-cost homemade air purifiers, which were put together by a four-year old and his aunt that evening. My husband constructed a box fan for our home at 1:30 am Saturday morning. I returned two of the filters, which were not strong enough to filter out smoke pollutants and bought three more that were the highest level of effectiveness. I searched for additional air quality protection solutions at hardware and paint stores, sharing information with and seeking advice from construction workers.

Every day, I took yoga classes, sometimes twice a day, to reduce anxiety and get some exercise. When I wasn't running around the county addressing smoke inhalation protection for my family, friends, and associates, I was communicating with vendors for a December 8 YogaWorks Celebration of Creativity, Community & Wellbeing that I am co-coordinating, preparing for upcoming presentations at eldercare communities, compiling a slide show for Creative Aging's last meeting of the year next week, attending environmental talks, cleaning and sealing the house, passing out respirator masks and providing a listening ear and career support for those in distress.

Saturday, I went through my closet and the garage to gather give-away clothes for those in need. Usually I shop for food at the Sunday Farmer's Market, and rarely frequent supermarkets, but the Farmer's Market was closed today to protect both vendors and shoppers from smoke inhalation, so I went to Whole Foods, which was overwhelming.

What I Learned from the Past 10 Days of Smoke Signals

Many of us were foggy, both externally and internally. Our environment was like a science fiction movie, with folks running around with respirator masks.

Every day I checked the air quality, read the news, and researched solutions. I could not stay in the house all day, through that was advised because of the air pollution. Instead, I donned a respirator mask and mingled with others to find solutions to the unhealthy air and unsettling environment, both internal and external.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, The effects of global warming on temperature, precipitation levels, and soil moisture are turning many of our forests into kindling during wildfire season. As the climate warms, moisture and precipitation levels are changing, with wet areas becoming wetter and dry areas becoming drier.

I talked with the CEO of the eldercare community where I worked for many years. We agreed that elders need to be involved in environmental issues.

Summary

Here's what I learned from smoke signals:

• Pay attention to the environmental issues, both physical and emotional, due to climate change.
• Heed physical, emotional, and economic effect of natural and man-made destruction.
• Listen to smoke signals. Learn from the messages they bring.
• Take action to effect change. Provide service to family, self, and community.
• Continue living the best I can every moment of every day.

What Have You Learned from Smoke Signals?

I'm eager to hear what you have learned from smoke signals:

• What smoke signals have you received?
• How are you responding to these smoke signals?