Smoke from new wildfire in Klickitat County impacts Tri-Cities

A new wildfire ignited Friday afternoon in eastern Klickitat County. The Peterson Fire is estimated at 1,000 acres and is burning near Peterson Road and Alderdale Road. Localized Level 3 "GO NOW" evacuations are in effect as of 4:00 PM Friday, per the Klickitat County Emergency Management Facebook page.

Southwest winds across the Horse Heaven Hills have been breezy, and winds in the Tri-Cities have been sustained around 20mph most of the afternoon with gusts around 30mph. This has kicked up a fair amount of dust and is now combining with smoke from the Peterson Fire.

 

Air Quality Index observations from Kennewick, WA.

The Kennewick–Metaline site is reporting Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups due to elevated PM10 concentrations from dust, while PM2.5 associated with smoke are currently in the Moderate category. Several PurpleAir sensors around the Tri-Cities are also showing deteriorating air quality. 

With a cooler weather pattern in place and improving relative humidity overnight, it's unlikely to remain on the landscape long. However, breezy winds are expected through the weekend, so it will need to be monitored.

Also, be mindful that cloud cover over the weekend may mask satellite wildfire detections. This may impact the air quality forecast located on the map on the home page of the Washington Smoke Blog. If clouds are blocking the satellite's view of the fire, the forecast may not fully capture smoke impacts.

Eastern WA Smoke Update

There are a slew of active brush fires burning across eastern WA, largely driven by yesterday's strong winds and dry conditions. For the most part, air quality impacts have been minimal since Monday. However, this morning smoke from fires east of Omak (Kartar and Omak Lake Fires) is impacting areas near Nespelem and Coulee Dam. These downwind impacts should gradually decrease throughout the day as winds from the west help to disperse smoke, although these same strong winds may also contribute to additional fire growth.   

Current fires in the Columbia Basin remain large (notably the Tule, Juniper Dunes, and Tucannon Fires). While communities downwind and to the east of these active wildfires will potentially experience intermittent smoke impacts, recent fire growth has slowed and containment efforts have steadily increased.

Strong winds continue to influence fire behavior, and elevated fire weather conditions continue through today. Be sure to keep an eye on changing conditions and we'll update as needed. 

Smoke travels westward as wildfires flare up in the Columbia Basin

Fire Activity and Smoke Impacts

With Smoke Ready Week barely a week behind us, the first smoke impacts of the season are being felt across southern Washington. 

Wildfire map from Watch Duty

The Snake River Fire started on June 12 near Clarkston. It has burned 686 acres and is 70% contained. The Juniper Dunes and Twin Sisters fires started on June 13 and have each burned over 3000 acres with 0% containment. Then, on June 14, both the Tule and OIE fires ignited. The Tule Fire has burned at least 5000 acres and is 0% contained. The OIE Fire has burned an estimated 500 acres and, sadly, has claimed several structures according to the Benton County Sheriff's Office. Forward progress of the OIE Fire has been stopped.

The most active fires on Sunday were the OIE Fire, Juniper Dunes Fire, and, most notably, the Tule Fire. Smoke plumes were visible on satellite imagery as northeast winds transported smoke toward the Columbia River Gorge.

Satellite imagery Sunday at 7:20 PM

The primary source of smoke through the gorge and into the Vancouver-Portland metro is the Tule Fire, which had an impressive plume visible on satellite imagery Sunday afternoon and evening.

Air Quality in The Dalles peaked at 159 (Unhealthy) at 11:00 PM. Several PurpleAir sensors from Goldendale to White Salmon also reported Unhealthy air quality. As of 9:00 AM Monday morning, Prosser is reporting Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

Critical Fire Weather Tuesday

Northeast winds will transition back to westerlies this afternoon and evening as a marine push brings relief from the heat in Western Washington. As the westerlies begin to push across the Cascades, elevated fire weather conditions will develop Monday evening with hot, dry air in place.

On Tuesday, a strong, dry cold front will bring critical fire weather conditions to eastern Washington. With poor relative humidity recovery expected Monday night, a very warm and dry airmass will be in place as the winds arrive Tuesday morning. Any new starts could spread quickly as winds gust between 30-45mph. Crews may struggle to control existing incidents, particularly the Tule Fire and the Juniper Dunes Fire.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for much of eastern Washington from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM Tuesday.

Red Flag Warning for Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

Elevated fire weather conditions will be intermittent throughout the rest of the week as winds remain breezy and with little, if any, precipitation in sight. 

Smoke Forecast

As westerly winds move back across the Cascades, areas to the west of existing fires will see improving air quality, especially Monday evening through Tuesday morning. This includes the Portland-Vancouver metro and the Columbia River Gorge.

Additional growth on existing fires, particularly the Tule Fire, will be possible Tuesday afternoon. The extent of fire growth will be dependent on containment progress on Monday. Smoke impacts may be possible for areas east of existing fires Tuesday afternoon and evening, including the Tri-Cities, Walla Walla, and the Palouse. Winds will turn more northerly as the evening progresses, sending smoke south across the Oregon border.

As always, it is impossible to predict where new ignitions will take place. New fires have potential to grow quickly on Tuesday, and the onset of smoke impacts may occur in a matter of minutes. Check out our blog posts from Smoke Ready Week to learn how you can prepare!

Closing out Smoke Ready Week

As we reach the end of Smoke Ready Week, now is the perfect time to make sure you have a plan for smoke events. With summer almost upon us and the fire risk looking high across the PNW, preparing in advance is the best way to limit the stress and anxiety of wildfire season. We wanted to share a few essential tips for protecting yourself, as well as updates to a key air quality resource.

Essential #SmokeReady tips

Our post from Monday (6/1/26) outlined how to prepare for and respond to smoke events. This includes:

• Identifying your risk level based on age and health conditions
• Talking to your healthcare provider about smoke and your health
• Knowing the main symptoms of smoke exposure
• Finding a reliable way to monitoring air quality conditions
• EPA's updated Fire & Smoke Map (more on this later) is at the top of this page
• The WA Air Quality Map has sensor and monitors around the state
• Using the Air Quality Index (AQI) to decide when conditions are safe
• Knowing how to clean your indoor air
• Use a portable air cleaner or DIY clean air fan and create a cleaner air room
• Wear an N95 respirator if you must go outside when it's smoky

Look above for daily smoke forecasts

The map at the top of this page was updated and includes a few helpful changes. You can still find the daily smoke forecasts, but now with a new toggle feature. Click on any forecast day and you'll see a zonal AQI forecast for that day. These are daily forecasts representing an average for the day. Hour-to-hour air quality conditions may be below or above the displayed category. 

In addition, the zonal forecast represents an average for that zone. If a zone is labeled "Moderate," that isn't a guarantee that every location within the zone is experiencing moderate air quality. One portion may be experiencing "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" (USG) while another location is observing "Good" air quality.

The 5-day forecasts come from a mix of professional judgement by air quality forecasters at local clean air agencies and Ecology, PM2.5 predictions from a machine learning model, and PM2.5 forecasts from Ecology's HYSPLIT dispersion model. For all the fun details, click the "Learn about forecasts" link that pops up when you click on a forecast day. 

Daily forecasts are first published around 6 a.m. and may be updated throughout the morning as air quality forecasters make manual adjustments.

A quick guide to fire and smoke map symbols

Not all symbols are the same! The larger circles are permanent air quality monitors operated by state, local, and tribal air quality professionals. Circles denoted with a "T" are temporary monitors. 

The smaller circles are air sensors, and include Purple Air low-cost sensors (with EPA's correction equation applied) as well as SensWA sensors designed and built by Ecology. SensWA sensors undergo quality-control checks, real-time data screening, and bias corrections. To see locations of SensWA sensors throughout the state, make sure the "SensWA" toggle under the "Air Sensor" layer is selected (after clicking the "Map Settings" button in the upper right). Additional layers to toggle on/off for more information include smoke outlooks, fire incidents, and satellite-detected smoke plumes.

Stay safe this summer!

Thanks for tuning in during Smoke Ready Week! Be sure to bookmark the blog for smoke updates over the next few months.

Employers should prepare now for wildfire season

Smoke Ready Week is the perfect time for employers to prepare for wildfire season. Employers should take proactive steps to protect workers by:

• Preparing a written wildfire smoke response plan
• Providing wildfire smoke training to employees
• Knowing where to find current AQI conditions

Remember, when the AQI is above 101, employers must provide respirators to workers for voluntary use. A NIOSH-approved N95 mask is the best way to protect workers. 

Visit Lni.wa.gov/BeSmokeReady for the complete rules and tips on how L&I can help businesses with their safety plans free of charge.

It's time to get ready for wildfire smoke!

Welcome to June! It is time to start thinking about getting Smoke Ready. Preparing now means less stress when smoke comes.

We’ll be posting throughout the week on Smoke Ready topics. Today, we’ll focus on the risks of smoke exposure and how to protect yourself. Here are key steps to take:

S – Stay Informed
M – Minimize Exposure
O – Optimize Your Air
K – Keep a Plan
E – Ease Your Mind

Smoke and your health

Inhaling wildfire smoke is harmful to our health. Anyone who breathes in smoke may experience symptoms, though children, adults over 65, pregnant people, and people with lung or heart conditions are at higher risk. Everyone reacts to smoke differently, and smoke impacts can occur at any level of smoke. Symptoms can include:

• Irritation of eye, nose, and throat
• Coughing, sore throat, headaches
• Wheezing and shortness of breath
• Worsening of existing conditions, with symptoms like asthma attacks, chest pain, or irregular heartbeat. 

Prepare for wildfire smoke

The best time to prepare for wildfire smoke is now. Here are some steps you can take:

• Know how to monitor the air quality. Start with the current and forecasted air quality on the top of this page and learn more about the air quality index.
• For people with lung and heart conditions, talk with your medical provider to make a plan.
• Gather supplies to filter your indoor air and protect yourself, such as portable air cleaners, HVAC filters, supplies for do-it-yourself box fan filters, and N95 masks.

During wildfire smoke

When there is wildfire smoke, take the following steps to protect yourself and your family: 

• Stay inside with cleaner indoor air: 
• Filter indoor air with a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter, a box fan filter, or your HVAC system set to recirculate.
• Close windows and doors unless it’s too hot to maintain safe temperatures.
• Pay attention to symptoms and seek medical help if needed.
• If you must go outside, wear a well-fitting N95 mask, limit physical exertion, and stay hydrated. 
• Local health departments and fire districts are great resources for finding wildfire and cleaner air shelters.

Wildfires and smoke events aren’t just dangerous, they’re also stressful and frightening – especially to those without a close support network. Check in on your neighbors and people in your community before and during a smoke event.

Creating a support network in your community will help everyone manage the stress, anxiety, and health risks of wildfire season. Make sure to take care of your own mental health by seeking out activities that keep you calm and grounded. Learn more about Coping with the Stress of Wildfire Smoke (PDF).

For more information on how to protect yourself, visit DOH’s Smoke from Fires page and Smoke Ready Spokane's checklist.

The 2026 Wildfire Season is Fast Approaching

Welcome back to the smoke blog for another season!

This post will cover:

• A fire and smoke outlook for the 2026 season
• A preview of the upcoming "Smoke-Ready Week" on June 1-5

A Very Warm Winter in the West

The winter of 2025-26 was exceptionally warm across the western United States. An already warm November to February was accelerated by an extended duration heat wave in March that broke monthly temperature records across large portions of the Great Basin, Central/Southern Rockies, and Southwest. As a result, by April 1, when snowpack is usually at its annual maximum, this year's numbers were near or below record values across almost every mountain range in the west.

Temperature rankings for the period of November 2025 to March 2026. All areas in dark red observed their warmest winter on record with data going back to 1940-41. Map by Brian Brettschneider.

Locally, Washington fared slightly better than other parts of the west. The Olympics and west slopes of the Cascades did not end up with record low snowpack by April 1. However, the more fire prone dry forests along the east slopes of the Cascades into northeastern WA had the worst snowpack numbers in the state relative to normal, including record low values at a handful of stations. Additionally, a warm and dry April led to rapid melting in places like the Olympic mountains which are now almost completely snow-free a full month ahead of normal. 

Snow water equivalent data on April 1, 2026, for stations with at least 20 years of data. Every red dot on the map was a station experiencing record low values of snow water equivalent for the date. Orange dots are 2nd lowest values on record. Data via USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 

However you slice it, snowpack in Washington this winter was very low, and in many parts of the west, lower than it's ever been in the historical record. 

A Somewhat Dry and Warm Spring - With Exceptions

A low snowpack does not guarantee a bad fire year, especially if followed by a wet, cool spring and early summer to counteract some of the effects of the warm winter. So far this spring, however, it has been drier and warmer than normal across most of the PNW, especially in April and May. 

Percent of normal precipitation in the Pacific Northwest from March 22 to May 20, 2026. Data courtesy the Climate Impacts Research Consortium (CIRC) accessed via climatetoolbox.org.

With these conditions in place, the atmosphere has been 'demanding' more moisture than normal, drying out dead vegetation like sticks, branches, and logs to near record low values for this time of year, especially east of the Cascades. Right now, live vegetation is still growing and helping to protect against major wildfire growth. But heading into early summer that live vegetation will stop actively growing and gradually dry out, becoming available to burn instead of an inhibitor to fire. With the warm and dry spring plus lack of snow cover, both the growing and drying cycle is happening earlier than normal this year, which seems to be signaling an earlier start to fire season and potentially a more severe peak of season if we continue to be warmer than normal during the summer months. 

Lastly, while most of the region saw a dry spring, portions of the Columbia Basin actually received near or slightly above normal precipitation which has boosted grass growth in lower elevation areas east of the Cascades. These taller, thicker grasses (up to 120% of normal according to WA DNR fuels experts) are now drying out with the late spring sun and quickly becoming available to burn. In fact, there have already been a handful of significant grass fires in the lower basin this month. Grass fires alone don't typically produce long-lasting smoke impacts but the excess grass crop could potentially accelerate fire spread to the edges of dry forests, transitioning grass fires to longer lasting, smoky forest fires during peak season. 

Implications of the Developing El Nino

The stage appears to be set for a busy fire season, but the ultimate outcome of the season will depend mostly on weather events that occur during the summer months. For that, we look at seasonal forecasts. 

One of the best tools we have for seasonal prediction is looking at what is currently happening with the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). In a nutshell, ENSO is a natural cycle that occurs every 2-7 years where water temperatures at the surface of the equatorial Pacific Ocean alternate between a cool phase (La Nina), a warm phase (El Nino), or neutral. These ocean temperature anomalies can affect the development and placement of tropical thunderstorms which then influence global weather patterns in somewhat predictable ways. Typically, the stronger the El Nino (or La Nina), the more pronounced the effect on global weather patterns. 

An El Nino event is currently emerging across the tropical Pacific Ocean, with further strengthening anticipated through the summer months. According to NOAA, a 'moderate' El Nino event will likely be in place by the peak of fire season but there is about a 20% chance of a 'strong' event at that time. By the fall months, a 'strong' El Nino is likely and there is about a 40% chance of a 'very strong' event, the highest category. The last time we had a 'very strong' El Nino was in 2015-16. The worst fire season on record in Washington state was 2015, occurring as that very strong El Nino event developed.

Sea surface temperature anomalies on May 19, 2026. The developing El Nino along the equatorial Pacific Ocean is noticeable, especially near the west coast of South America, though anomalous ocean warmth persists on many places globally. Data via NOAA.

Forecast probabilities of El Nino strength by season. For July-August-September (JAS) 2026, there is a 70% chance of 'moderate' El Nino or greater, and an 18% chance of 'strong' El Nino. Data via NOAA Climate Prediction Center.

One of the primary reasons there is so much focus on El Nino here in the PNW is that it favors a certain atmospheric orientation towards high pressure ridging over the NE Pacific and Gulf of Alaska during the summer months, which tends to block or weaken storm systems coming from the west and redirects wind patterns to favor drier, northerly flow from the interior of British Columbia. Combined, that tends to bring warmer, drier, and windier weather to Washington -- all conditions that favor wildfire.

Another thing to watch is the monsoon in the Desert Southwest, which tends to strengthen slightly with El Nino. Extensions northward of the monsoon can sometimes bring periods of dry lightning and numerous wildfire ignitions to the PNW, as happened in August 2015 which very quickly accelerated fire season from a busy one to a record one. 

Forecast probabilities of above or below normal temperatures for June-July-August 2026 from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. Most of Washington and Oregon are strongly favored for above normal temperatures this summer. 

Forecast probabilities of above or below normal precipitation for June-July-August 2026 from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. Washington is favored to have below normal precipitation, especially western Washington. Also note the forecast for above normal precipitation in the four corners region, signaling potential for a more active southwest monsoon.

All that said, no two El Nino events are the same and there are numerous complicating factors this year. Firefighting capabilities have also improved since 2015, especially with initial attack. Still, it's hard to ignore the emerging factors that stack the odds in favor of some concerning fire weather this summer on top of receptive vegetation following the warm winter and dry spring.

Outlook for Significant Wildland Fire Potential, and a Quick Look at BC

Forecasters at the Northwest Coordination Center (NWCC) have issued their predictions for June, July, and August. June favors above normal potential for significant wildland fires in eastern Washington. 

By July, that potential spreads to NW Washington. 

And in August, the entire state is expecting above normal potential. 

Notably, it's not just Washington. Just about the entire PNW is also covered by above normal wildland fire potential in July and August during the peak of fire season, so there could be smoke from other states to think about. Additionally, many of the same conditions extend into southeastern British Columbia, and a busy season is possible there too.

Canadian drought monitor as of May 5, 2026. Moderate to severe drought is noted in portions of eastern British Columbia, just north of the border with Washington. Data courtesy Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Smoke Implications, including Western Washington

Even in a busy forest fire season, onshore flow and the clean air of the Pacific Ocean often protects highly-populated western Washington from significant smoke impacts at the ground. That certainly happened in 2025, when big fires were burning in central and eastern Washington but smoke impacts across most of western Washington remained limited because of that clean, onshore flow. 

This year, however, there are some indications with the developing El Nino that wind patterns will be a bit more northerly or northeasterly than normal, which could bring intermittent periods of offshore flow, transporting smoke from any fires in BC, Idaho, and eastern Washington into all corners of the state, including western Washington -- at least more so than last year. 

Being Smoke Ready

With any sort of seasonal outlook, there is a greater amount of information that we don't know than what we do know. There is always a chance that this season could end up closer to normal due to well-timed periods of wetter and cooler weather, lack of dry lightning, or other factors. Still, preparation is always key -- especially with high-end potential like this year. Once smoke arrives, will you know what to do? Will the supplies you need to protect yourself still be available at the store? 

Now is a great time to get ready for smoke, and we have an entire week dedicated to preparation from June 1-5. Come back to the blog during smoke ready week for a series of posts that will go over how you can protect your health during the 2026 fire and smoke season.

Lastly, rest assured, we will be here every step of the way this season to keep you informed. Thank you for following along with us!

Helicopter work on the Moon Complex Fire in September 2025. Photo credit: Russel Simmons, Coos Forest Protective Association - Gold Beach AUF.

See You Next Year!

Even though wildfire season is over, there may still be smoke visible within fire perimeters due to remaining fuels burning down.

Now that we’ve gotten some rain and even snow in some locations, prescribed burn season is upon us!

Rx Burning in Roslyn, Photo C/O Mason Friedman, WA DNR

What is Prescribed Fire?

Prescribed fire is a tool long used on forest ecosystems throughout Washington by Tribes, land management agencies, and conservation groups. These forests, with their fire-adapted plants, historically had low-intensity fires burn through their understories on a regular basis. These low-severity fires reduced the amount of ladder fuels capable of taking fires up into tree canopies, where they spread much more rapidly than at ground level.

A prescribed fire applies low-severity fire to the forest floor in order to reduce built-up vegetation while helping mature trees stay healthy and resilient. Trained fire professionals follow burn plans guided by state and federal regulations to reduce wildfire fuels on the ground, reintroduce vital nutrients into the soil, and restore natural, fire-adapted habitats for wildlife.

Stay informed!

To get more information about where burning is taking place, visit WA DNR’s Burn Portal or, you can now sign up for notifications to learn about when burns are taking place near your location. 

It's also important to note that it's illegal to burn during burn bans. For more information on when and where these are in place, visit the Washington Department of Ecology or your local clean air agency.

The purpose of this blog is to provide information related to wildfire smoke. For more information on prescribed burns and smoke resources, visit: https://dnr.wa.gov/wildfire-resources/smoke-resources

**This is the final post for 2025, but we hope you will bookmark us and return for wildfire smoke updates next summer. We appreciate your interest and feedback. Breathe well Washington!

2025 wildfire season: air quality in review

Monitoring sites in the Wenatchee area are still observing lingering impacts from the Labor Mountain Fire, but with recent rain and cooler weather, wildfire season is winding down. It's a good time to look back at this year's wildfire season from an air quality perspective.

Statewide Overview

In terms of the number of smoke-impacted days, this season began quietly. Up until mid-August, there were very few days with elevated PM2.5 concentrations, based on data from 133 air quality monitors tracking PM2.5 across the state (note that monitoring sites do not cover every location in the state and some areas experienced worse smoke than what is captured by the statewide monitoring network). Early season smoke impacts were localized, primarily from the Bear Gulch Fire near Lake Cushman and the Pomas Fire northwest of Entiat.

Conditions changed quickly at the end of August, when a combination of lightning-sparked wildfires, hot and dry weather, and light winds led to an increase in unhealthy air quality days across Central and Eastern Washington. Overall, the 2025 season ended up resembling 2021 and 2022 more than the relatively smoke-free 2024.

Total number of USG or worse air quality days observed by air quality monitors over the last decade.

While no region was entirely free from smoke, Central Washington experienced the most sustained impacts this season. The Wildcat, Lower Sugarloaf, and Labor Mountain Fires were the primary contributors. Although the Pomas Fire started early in the season, it had minimal impacts on air quality compared with the larger, more smoke-producing fires. Northeast WA also experienced prolonged smoke impacts from numerous regional fires in September. Southeast WA dodged most of the heaviest smoke but still experienced occasional impacts from smoke drifting into the region. Western WA (more below!) experienced intermittent periods of smoke from regional fires when shifting winds carried smoke towards the Puget Sound and NW WA.

Total number of USG or worse air quality days observed by air quality monitors this summer, sorted by region.

To better illustrate the timing of smoke impacts this summer, the plot below shows daily air quality levels for each county in the Washington with an air quality monitor. Each row represents the daily average from the most impacted monitor in that county, with counties organized by geographic region. Aside from localized impacts at Lake Cushman, most of the state experienced good and moderate air quality for most of the summer until fire activity drastically ramped up at the end of August and into September.

Daily air quality index levels for each county in WA this summer. Temporary monitoring at Lake Cushman is also included.

The Bear Gulch Fire

The 2025 perimeter of the Bear Gulch Fire (pink) compared to previous fires in 2006 (blue) and 1979 (green). 

The Bear Gulch Fire near Lake Cushman created an unusual smoke season for western Washington. The fire, started by human activity on July 6, frequently caused poor air quality in communities along the Hood Canal and in Mason County throughout July, August, and September. Between September 14th and September 20th, the fire nearly doubled in size growing from 10,851 acres to 19,092 acres. This rapid growth caused several hours of unhealthy air in Port Angeles on September 16th & 17th and in Mason and Thurston Counties September 19th & 20th.  At just over 20,000 acres, the Bear Gulch Fire holds the record as the largest wildfire in the Olympic National Park (ONP) since its establishment in 1938, breaking the previous record of 1,175 acres. Between 1985 and 2024, roughly 900 recorded wildfires burned a total of 4,300 acres in the ONP. Major fires in the Olympics typically burn between 10 and 500 acres. While they often smolder for several weeks, rarely do they generate significant smoke impacts beyond the immediate vicinity. The Bear Gulch Fire produced multiple pyrocumulus clouds, hazy skies, and even a visible smoke plume that stretched across the state on August 13th. The first wetting rains fell over Bear Gulch in early October and continuing showers have dramatically slowed fire growth and smoke production. All evacuation orders have been lifted, and the US Forest Service has transferred fire management to local units. 

Bear Gulch burn scar from satellite imagery on October 13.

Smoke Update for Central Washington

Wenatchee continues to experience smoke from ongoing activity at the Labor Mountain Fire, which has burned 41,418 acres and is currently 20% contained. Air quality sensors in the valley are reporting UNHEALTHY conditions. In contrast, the Lower Sugarloaf Fire, now at 42,955 acres and 90% contained, is producing less smoke as containment improves.

7 Day AQI for Wenatchee (solid line) and Yakima (dashed line), Department of Ecology 

This weekend, a mix of snow and rain is expected over the Cascade Mountains. The Wildcat Fire area could see 1–2 inches of snow, while Labor Mountain and Lower Sugarloaf are likely to receive less than an inch. Higher relative humidity and moisture may provide some relief to Wenatchee Valley and surrounding areas by dampening fire activity. In Yakima, air quality has steadily improved since Monday. Snow and rain over the Wildcat Fire, along with increased winds and light showers, are expected to further improve air quality through the weekend.

48 snow accumulation (inches) this weekend, and active NIFC fires, NOAA DESI

Air quality alerts for Chelan and Douglas counties have been reinstated until further notice. Another update on the blog will be provided next week as air quality evolves following the wet weather.

Tactical firing operations along Highway 97 near Labor Mountain Fire, Inciweb