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Seattle, Los Angeles among cities with air quality worse than Beijing due to wildfires

Continued wildfires on the West Coast caused thick smog and orange skies in parts of California, Oregon and Washington this week.

According to Seattle-based KIRO-TV, the city’s air quality index reached 197 Friday morning. The capital city’s index reached 264 by Friday night.

That “very unhealthy” rating is a stark difference from the “good” rating measured by government agencies, which reported an index of 13 around the same time earlier Friday. In the evening, Beijing’s air quality index hit 32.

The air quality index ranges from 1 to 500. The higher the number, the unhealthier the air quality. According to the index, anything below 50 is considered good air quality. Ratings between 101 and 150 are considered unhealthy for vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly and people with certain health conditions.

In Salem, Oregon, about 45 miles from Portland, the index reached a “hazardous” score of 428 Friday night.

Air quality was unhealthy in Los Angeles Friday night and very unhealthy in San Francisco.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan declared all beaches, parks, boat launches and athletic fields closed through Sunday due to the poor air quality, KIRO-TV reported. Mayors in many California cities also restricted outdoor events.

Air quality improved in parts of China in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic after government-imposed shutdowns caused factories to close and commuters to stay home.

Learn more about air quality in different parts of the world here.