Light Smoke in Eastern Washington

If you are smelling wildfire smoke in Eastern Washington Thursday morning, you are not imagining it. Light smoke concentrations are impacting the area from the Tri-Cities up north through the Okanogan Valley and east to Spokane. Most monitors are reading in the MODERATE category, with some sensors suggesting UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS around Lake Roosevelt and southern portions of the Colville Reservation. 

EPA Fire & Smoke Map as of 10:27 a.m., June 12, 2025.

A few wind-driven wildfires took off yesterday afternoon across the eastern Columbia Gorge and lower Columbia Basin. The largest of the two are the Rowena Fire near the Dalles and the Hatch Grade Fire south of Wallula, both around 2,500 acres. Crews are getting those fires under control quickly with the help of aggressive aviation tactics. 

The Rowena Fire burning near The Dalles, Oregon, on June 11, 2025. Via the Wasco County Sheriff's Office.

Smoke from these fires followed the winds to the east and northeast and has settled across eastern Washington this morning. Smoke concentrations should gradually diminish as mixing heights rise and winds increase this afternoon.

Hourly averaged PM2.5 concentration around Airway Heights, WA just west of Spokane. After rising sharply overnight, smoke concentrations are falling rapidly late this morning.

Additional smoke is possible over the next few days, but critical fire weather conditions will be easing on Friday as cooler temperatures are expected across the state. That will likely help crews further control existing fires and reduce smoke impacts accordingly. Unless new fires pop up, this morning's smoke impacts will probably be the maximum experienced through the weekend. We will continue to monitor and provide updates as needed. 

If you weren't already motivated to get yourself ready for wildfire smoke, then perhaps you are now! Stay tuned for one more blog post on Friday to wrap up #SmokeReadyWeek.