Air Quality Alerts Continue for Parts of Eastern Washington

 Satellite imagery of smoke over the Cascades this morning, GOES -West

Central Washington

Lower Sugarloaf and Labor Mountain have both seen fire growth since yesterday. Lower Sugarloaf is now at 30,362 acres (27% containment), while Labor Mountain is at 14,724 acres (7% containment). Communities in north-central Washington continue to see escalating smoke impacts from the Cascade fires. Air quality remains very poor today, especially in Chelan and Douglas counties. Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties remain under an Air Quality Alert until further notice. Alerts for Kittitas, Yakima, and Klickitat counties will expire at midnight, as conditions are expected to improve in those areas.

Leavenworth Past 7 Days AQI, Dept. of Ecology

Wenatchee Past 7 Days AQI, Dept. of Ecology

Eastern Washington

The eastern third of Washington is seeing less smoke than central Washington. One exception is the Lynx Mountain Fire (currently 8,979 acres, 56% containment) is sending smoke into the drainages east of the fire. Inchelium is reporting UNHEALTHY to VERY UNHEALTHY air quality this morning, with slight improvement possible by late afternoon as mixing heights increase. Wind shifting westerly tomorrow could increase smoke impacts in eastern WA. 

Spokane Past 7 days AQI, Dept. of Ecology

Smoke over Lynx Mountain Fire today, Credit: Ira Hardy

Western Washington

In western Washington, smoke impacts were most significant in the Cascade foothills and east side communities yesterday, like North Bend. However, places like Darrington are still experiencing UNHEALTHY air quality this morning. The more densely populated portions of Puget Sound such as Seattle and Tacoma only spiked into  MODERATE air quality. King and Snohomish county Air Quality Alerts will expire at noon today, as winds gradually shift from easterly to westerly, helping push smoke out of the region. 

Bear Gulch Fire (19,899 acres and 6% containment) continues to have localized smoke impacts on Lake Cushman and Hoodsport. 

Seattle Past 7 Days AQI, Dept. of Ecology

Darrington Past 7 Days AQI, Dept of Ecology

Looking Ahead...

A dry cold front will move into Washington tomorrow, bringing low relative humidity and breezy conditions to eastern Washington. These fire weather conditions raise concerns for new starts across the Columbia Basin and may also influence ongoing wildfires in the Cascades.

Stay up to date on air quality conditions by checking the Fire and Smoke Map (above post) throughout today and into tomorrow, as smoke impacts could worsen in eastern Washington.

Thursday Fire Weather Watch Info, NWS