Strong Winds with More Fire Risk and some local smoke for Central and Eastern WA

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Central Cascade Valleys for this afternoon, with winds from the west forecast to to gust up to 35 mph.  This can lead to rapid fire spread for any new or existing fires.  The Monument Hill brush fire near Quincy was contained yesterday, but not before it destroyed two homes and other structures/equipment.  Please take extra precaution and delay any planned open burning, especially the areas around Chelan/Wenatchee/Moses Lake.

Expect relatively small smoke plumes from local fires to continue over the weekend. Light smoke from the Norse Peak Fire will continue to be seen around the Yakima area this weekend, especially in the evenings.   The Diamond Creek fire continues to be a problem and light to moderate smoke should be expected around Winthrop over the weekend.  The Noisy Creek Fire will also continue to produce light smoke, which has been seen over the eastern part of the Colville Tribe Reservation.

Smoke from the BC fires will make its way down to NE WA, with moderate air quality expected in Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties on Saturday afternoon and through the evening and into Sunday.