How much clearing will Sunday's rain bring?

Current snapshot

Smoke has drifted into communities around the eastern coast of the Olympic peninsula, from Shelton to Quilcene, with hazardous air quality in Hoodsport and Lake Cushman. Communities along the eastern slopes of the Cascades and portions of northeast Washington are also experiencing continued smoke with valley spikes near active fires. Monitors around Wenatchee, Entiat, and Yakima as well as parts of NE Washington have exhibited USG to Unhealthy as smoke drained overnight.  

Areas with visible smoke (HMS) - 9/19/2025 - 11 am PDT

How much rain is expected?

Sunday rain is expected in Western Washington and in the Cascades with roughly 0.5–1.5″ in the mountains and lowlands generally 0.25–0.5″. The Olympics and higher Cascades should see enough rain to reduce fire activity and smoke production. However, leeward sides of the mountains and the Columbia basin will largely miss out on this round of rain, so slower recovery is expected.

The worst air will be near fire perimeters and in valley drainages through Saturday night. Broad relief should become apparent Sunday afternoon across areas that receive measurable rain and along the western lowlands, while interior basins and portions of NE Washington may require many more days before PM2.5 drops into the Good range. 

Total rainfall through Sunday - NWS

Olympic Peninsula / Hood Canal

Bear Gulch (18,700 acres, ~6% containment) is the primary smoke source for the northeastern Olympics and adjacent Hood Canal shorelines. The Tunnel Creek fire is also adding to the mix. The arriving cold front late Saturday night into Sunday will bring rainfall and a push of onshore winds that should reduce smoke by Sunday afternoon.  However, expect localized overnight pooling and lingering haze adjacent to the fire through Monday morning.  

Central Cascades

Wildcat (~8,850 acres, 8% containment), Lower Sugarloaf (~20,100 acres, 20% containment) and Labor Mountain (~5,980 acres, 7% containment) remain the biggest contributors to valley smoke in Central Washington. Smoke has been funneling into river valleys, with worst conditions overnight and early morning when the boundary layer is shallow. Sunday’s front should reduce active fire behavior at higher elevations and flush valley smoke out of many lowland areas by late Sunday, though drainage will likely continue. The forecast shows limited rainfall in this region, so improvement is uncertain.  Winds in the basin will increase with the front, providing ventilation, but not the moisture expected on the coast and mountains. 

Northeast Washington (Lynx Mountain, Crown Creek, Katy Creek, Tacoma Creek, Rattlesnake)

Fires in Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties continue to produce persistent smoke. This corner of the state is the most likely to experience sustained elevated PM2.5 through the weekend. The incoming frontal system will bring only scattered, lighter showers so only gradual improvement is expected. 

Outlook into next week

A high pressure system is expected to build next week, favoring warmer, drier, and generally cleaner conditions statewide.  However, fire activity is expected to continue in most locations currently impacted.