Ongoing Smoke Impacts from Active Wildfires

The Lower Sugarloaf, Labor Mountain, and Wildcat Fires continue to burn, producing significant smoke across portions of Central Washington. Air quality is currently unhealthy to hazardous in Wenatchee and Cashmere, with visible smoke extending beyond the immediate fire zones. An Air Quality Alert has been issued for Chelan and Douglas Counties, specifically for communities along the Wenatchee River Corridor (including Cashmere, Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, and Rock Island).

GOES-West satellite imagery this morning (9am).

Communities southeast of the fires--including Quincy, Royal City, and George--are experiencing smoke impacts in addition to the heavy smoke observed in the Wenatchee River Corridor. Smoke from the Wildcat Fire is also settling into the Yakima Valley. Valley drainage patterns are expected to bring another day of smoke accumulation overnight and into the morning, contributing to periods of poor air quality in low-lying areas.

Increased ventilation and mixing will lead to gradual air quality improvements throughout the day, but areas closest to the fires will continue to experience periods of dense smoke. Cle Elum and Ellensburg can also expect periodic smoke impacts. Additionally, proactive burning efforts by firefighters working on containing the Labor Mountain Fire will produce increased smoke in the area. 

Smoke from the Labor Mountain Fire. Source: Watchduty.

Winds are also pushing smoke to the southwest; impacts are increasing at Mt. Rainier and in the Cowlitz Valley. Make sure to check local air quality conditions before recreating today. Light smoke may also reach portions of southwest Washington and the Cascades foothills in Pierce and King Counties. Moderate smoke impacts will likely be brief as shifting winds will push any lingering smoke out of the area tomorrow afternoon.

Outlook

Communities closest to active fires will continue to experience smoke impacts as long as those fires burn. While temperatures are cooling and daylight hours are decreasing, conditions remain very dry across the region. On a hopeful note, potential rain returns later this week. The Labor Mountain, Lower Sugarloaf, and Wildcat Fires all have a chance to receive wetting rain through this weekend. However, rain will be scattered and the locations and rain amounts remain uncertain. We'll continue to keep an eye on conditions and update as needed.