Smoke from these fires continues to degrade air quality from Winthrop and Twisp, south to Entiat and Wenatchee, and east to Republic, Colville, and Inchelium. For the time being, meteorological conditions have kept smoke from fires in Canada north of the border but the fires in Canada are still large, numerous, and active and it would seem that smoke is likely to head toward Washington again in a few days. So if you're in an area that is experiencing good air quality this is your chance to get out and go for that run or take the kids out to play because conditions look like they will change back to smoky again by late in the day on Sunday.
Westside/Olympic Penninsula
Maple. 10 mi N of Hoodsport, WA. Start 8/4. Monitor/Confine/Full Suppression. Cause: Unknown. 1,464 acres (+100). 52% containment. Moderate fire behavior. Timber. T&E habitat threatened. Road, trail and area closures.
Yakima Area
Miriam. 25 mi SE of Mt Rainier. Start 7/30. Full Suppression. Cause: Unknown. 2,650 acres (+250). 10% containment. Active fire behavior. Timber. Steep terrain. Evacuations in effect. White Pass Ski Resort and T&E species habitat threatened. Road, trail and area closures.
New: Winnier Road. 13 mi SE
of Toppenish, WA. Start 08/16. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 349 acres.
Lined. Limited information available.
Methow Valley/Chelan/Entiat Area
McLeod. 8 mi N of
Mazama, WA. Start 8/11. Monitor/Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 3,948 acres
(+1,148). 0% containment. Active fire behavior. Timber. Structures threatened.
Crescent Mtn. 16
mi W of Winthrop WA. Start 7/29. Monitor/Confine/Full Suppression. Cause:
Unknown. 19,700 acres (+2,824). 37% containment. Moderate fire behavior. Timber.
Structures, recreation and timber threatened. Evacuation notices. Road, trail
and area closures.
Cougar Creek. 25
mi W of Chelan, WA. Start 7/28. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 34,482
acres (+2,874). 35% containment. Active fire behavior. Timber and slash.
Evacuation notices. Area restrictions, road, trail and area closures.
Structures, cultural resources, timber, infrastructure and recreation
threatened.
Colville Area
Boyds. 3 mi W of
Kettle Falls, WA. Start 08/11. Full Suppression. Cause: Unknown. 3,065 acres
(+65). 27% containment. Active fire behavior. Timber and grass. Evacuations in
effect. Major highway closures and structures threatened.
Horns Mountain. 9
mi NE of Orient, WA. Start 08/11. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 1,293
acres (+105). 15% containment. Moderate fire behavior. Timber. Timber
threatened.
Are you anticipating smoky conditions in Western WA as well on Sunday?
ReplyDeleteYes.
DeleteI'm planning a camping trip around the ONP starting Monday, with 2 little kids... should I cancel? How bad will the smoke likely be?
ReplyDeleteWhile thats a personal decision, we can only provide some insight into what smoke levels to expect. And that forecast doesnt look great. It is very likely that the Olympics, just like most of the state, will be covered with smoke from Sunday night- Tuesday evening at least. Higher elevations will likely see more smoke, so Unhealthy air in the ONP couldnt be ruled out. Little kids are more susceptible to smoke than healthy adults, so camping outdoors will leave them exposed for longer. If you do choose to go, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the health-protection resources on this blog.
Deletecoming to the Leavenworth area this week and hiking the enchantments. Any idea how the air quality will be in that area?
ReplyDeleteAlso going to a concert at the George on the Columbia River friday. Should we cancel?
Copying out two of our responses to similar questions yesterday. Canceling is a personal decision:
DeleteGeorge: It's too early to say what the winds will be doing next weekend. However, at the very least you should expect intermittent smoke with Moderate to Unhealthy conditions since there are several fires in the Cascades and westerly flow will push smoke in that direction
Enchantments: Check trail conditions. Northwest winds expected Sunday- Tuesday & that will most likely bring in smoke from nearby fires