US wildfires: Dirty air on west coast keeps residents trapped indoors

A US flag flies near Smith Tower in Seattle in air thick with smoke from wildfires (AP/Ted S. Warren)

Dangerously dirty air caused by wildfires on the west coast of the United States is seeping into homes and businesses, sneaking into cars through air conditioning vents and preventing people already shut away by the coronavirus pandemic from enjoying a walk or trip to the park.

People in Oregon, Washington state and California have been struggling for a week or longer under some of the most unhealthy air on the planet. Scientists and forecasters say the acrid yellow-green smog may linger for days or weeks.