Ongoing Smoke Impacts in Central and Eastern WA

 This morning's satellite imagery shows considerable smoke across Central and Eastern Washington:

Source: College of DuPage

New incidents continue to emerge and active fires continue to grow. The Lynx Mountain Fire northwest of Inchelium is adding to the mix of fires in Northeast WA. In Central WA, The Lower Sugarloaf Fire 12 miles northeast of Leavenworth grew quickly overnight and is sending smoke to the southeast.

In the Cascades near Mount Rainier, the Wildcat Fire is currently estimated at 1,279 acres and 0% contained. Continue to keep an eye on daily smoke outlooks for the fire for local smoke impacts and fire information. Further north, the Perry and Martin Fires in the northern and central Cascades are producing localized smoke.

In Western WA, the hot and dry weather contributed to slight growth of the Bear Gulch Fire (currently 9,400 acres). The fire is expected to remain active and produce local smoke impacts in the Lake Cushman/Hoodsport areas. 

Active fires in Washington and BC. Source: DNR. Accessed Sept 3, 9am.

Increasing Smoke Impacts

Smoke will increase throughout the day today; most of Central and Eastern Washington should expect air quality impacts ranging from Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Very Unhealthy as the smoke mixes down to the surface. Light and variable winds will do little to disperse the smoke, allowing PM2.5 to accumulate. In addition to smoke from fires in Washington, smoke from wildfires in Southern British Columbia will drift south into Okanogan and Chelan Counties. We're also monitoring other regional fires (i.e., the Ulm Creek Fire in Idaho) that could add to smoke impacts in the coming days. 

In Western WA, smoke impacts will be mostly minimal at the surface--but haze will be visible as smoke drifts aloft.

Air Quality Alerts have been expanded to include all counties in Central and Eastern WA. 

When will conditions improve?

Unfortunately, relief from the smoke in Central and Eastern WA won't arrive for at least a few days. Hot, dry, and unstable conditions will continue through Friday. In addition to poor smoke dispersion, dry thunderstorms will increase the potential for lightning and new fires--and these new fires will likely grow quickly. Fire weather concerns begin to ease on Friday, but the heat will persist and it could take time for the smoke to mix out. We'll update as needed as smoke continues and new fires emerge--keep an eye on the map at the top of this page for current and forecasted air quality conditions.

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As an aside, if it feels like early September often brings smoky skies, you're right. Fire season remains active this time of year, and since 2012, Washington has frequently experienced smoke well into September. The plot below shows the statewide summer daily averages from all monitoring sites in the state, with 2025 highlighted in bold black against the gray lines of 2012-2024.