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| | | Will Smoke Season Return This Summer? | Every month, the National Interagency Coordination Center releases a report that predicts where there is fire risk, and to quote Matthew Huretau from the University of New Mexico, “we’re probably not going to be in great shape this year.” [Grist] | - Earlier fire risk: Typically, our mountains here in the PNW are usually still a bit snow-capped when summer arrives, and the snow is keeping things damp. However, this year has been way below average for snowfall, one of the worst on record, and as a result, we could be looking at wildfire risk as early as June this year.
- Pray for rain: We may be annoyed that spring seems slow to arrive here in Seattle, but rain could dramatically decrease fire risk. “But,” to quote Huretau again, “hope is not a great strategy.”
- How to prepare: King County has a useful guide on how to keep yourself safe on smoky days: Get yourself some N95 masks, check AirNow.gov, and stay inside when the AQ is 150+ (100+ for kids under 18, pregnant people, adults over 65, or anyone with asthma, respiratory, or heart conditions). [King County]
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| | | Simply Eloped helps couples ditch the pressure and celebrate your love story on your terms. We’ve planned over 14,000 personalized elopements and vow renewals in gorgeous locations nationwide. Is yours next? |
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| What Seattle’s Talking About |
| 🦠 King County Measles Exposure: Two King County residents have been diagnosed with measles this week. Their exposure likely happened during international travel, but they did spend time in Kirkland, Bellevue, and Seattle while infectious. You can see all potential exposures here. Some locations in Shoreline have also been added. So far, the state has had 31 cases of the illness, which can linger in the air for two hours after an infectious person leaves. The MMR vaccine is 97% effective at protection against the virus. [Seattle Times] | | 💰 New Student Loan Repayment Plan: If you were enrolled in President Biden’s Saving on a Valuable Education plan (aka SAVE), starting on July 1, you will have to enter into a legal repayment plan within 90 days or automatically be placed into one. A federal appeals court essentially put an end to Biden’s plan in March by striking down a lower court’s decision to dismiss lawsuits brought by various states. Read about your various options and take a look at the Federal Student Aid’s loan simulator as well. [Washington State Standard] | |  | A car-free Pike Place. (Karina Matias / City Cast Seattle) |
| 👣 Vehicle Barriers at Pike Place: Our beloved local market is going to be even more walkable this month as SDOT installs temporary, movable bollards to prevent most vehicles from entering the market as a test for the upcoming World Cup in June. The market has been car-free since last April, and SDOT has discussed making the barriers permanent with the historical commission. [Seattle Times] |
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I was going to invite Sam to my Seder this weekend, but since they made fun of me in the newsletter yesterday, they're off the invite list. Chag Sameach, Seattle! | | — Liam |
| Jane C. Hu and Ashley Smith edited City Cast Seattle this week. |
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