Current Situation
Multiple large fires are burning across the state, with no rest in sight for firefighters. Spokane experienced devastating wildfire impacts over the weekend and the situation is still very active, with hundreds of structures burned causing potentially hazardous air quality. Other fires across the state grew exponentially and are producing large amounts of smoke. Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy air quality continues to inundate many parts of the state and more areas are expected to have smoke impacts later today and through the week. Predominant winds have shifted, allowing smoke to cover the Columbia Basin and travel over parts of Western Washington, including the Seattle metro area.
Eastern Washington has several large active fires include the Autumn Lane Fire, Old Trails Fire, Mitre Rock Fire, Modrite Fire, Hudspeth Fire, Bradeen Hill Fire, Kaiser Canyon Fire, and Paradise Fire.
Central Washington also has several large active fires, including the Little Giant Fire, Sinlahekin Fire, Ptarmigan Fire, Luna Fire, and the Border 2 Fire. Fires to the north in BC also continue to be active.
For more information about these fires, including evacuation notices and recent updates, check Watch Duty.
Air Quality Alerts
AQAs have been extended to all of Eastern and Central Washington until further notice. AQAs are also being issued today for parts of Western Washington, including Pierce, King, Snohomish, Kitsap, Thurston, Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties until at least Wednesday afternoon. Additional alerts may be issued for other counties in Western Washington if conditions deteriorate.
Forecasted Conditions
Fire and smoke will be very dynamic over the next few days. A strong high pressure system off the coast is expected to persist this week, resulting in hot and dry conditions and winds coming from the north / northeast. This will allow smoke to engulf most of Eastern/Central Washington through the week. Haze will also be visible in Western Washington and smoke is expected to mix down into the Puget Sound lowlands later today. Smoke impacts are expected in southwest Washington this afternoon. The high pressure ridge is expected to stick around a few days, so smoke is expected to persist in the meantime.
Finding Clean Air
When smoky conditions are this widespread, it's important to stay inside where there is cleaner indoor air. Run portable air cleaners, set your HVAC system to recirculate, and consider wearing an N95 mask if you go outside to protect your health. You can find clean air shelters listed on the 2-1-1 site.
In addition to smoke, health impacts can be amplified when it is hot and smoky, so be sure to pay attention to any symptoms and check out DOH's resources on how to protect yourself from smoke.
Thank you so much for keeping this blog up to date. While I do not post comments often, we have come to rely on this blog every year for a number of years now, so we just wanted to express our appreciation!!
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