As wildfire smoke and other pollutants continue to contaminate the air, and air quality conditions in the region remain “unhealthy for all,” King County and the City of Seattle are again extending the Smoke Relief Shelter for people experiencing homelessness. The shelter, located at the Sodo Assessment and Recovery Center, is extended for another day. Closure is now expected to occur on Friday, September 18, 2020.
About 100 people have been staying each day. The shelter operator is the Salvation Army, with support from the Public Health Reserve Corps and volunteer County staff from many departments.
The emergency response shelter opened on Friday, September 11 to offer relief from the dangerous levels of smoke-filled air for people who are living unsheltered. Onsite operations are strongly focused on COVID-19 prevention steps such as social distancing, hand hygiene, and use of facial coverings.
The County and City will continue to monitor air quality.