Fires still raging but transport winds are back

Transport Winds are Back

Transport winds from the west are back in effect, which means intermittent clearing will occur in some areas.  Conditions east of the Cascades will be hot and dry this weekend, and winds are expected to increase.  Despite some clearing, heavy smoke continues to be generated from wildfires across the region, and wind gusts will likely lead to more fire growth. A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the NWS.

GOES imagery for Friday morning (Aug 7), courtesy of Aerosol Watch

Air Quality Alerts 

Air quality alerts have expired for Western Washington, as no new wildfire smoke is expected at this time.  Air quality alerts will continue until further notice for all of Central and Eastern Washington. For more information about expected smoke impacts, see the local outlooks linked to above. 

Fires on the Landscape

The number of wildfires in our region is unprecedented, with multiple large complexes and several emerging fires.  See the Watch Duty app for current information on fire activity, firefighter efforts, evacuations, and more.  The map below shows all recent fire detections in red, and a prediction of air quality on Saturday night from the Copernicus model.

Fire locations and predicted AQI for Saturday night, courtesy of Windy.com

Ozone

We've been on the lookout for ozone production, and while we don't expect ozone to be as bad this weekend, it has been spiking at USG levels in some areas the past couple days.  This is typical when it heats up outside and transport winds die down, allowing more ozone to be generated.  There has also been higher ozone observed by satellite across the Pacific.

Hourly ozone (ppm) this week, courtesy of Puget Sound Clean Air Agency Air Graphing Tool

Stay safe and enjoy your weekend!

Remember to keep indoor air clean - run air purifiers if you have them, keep windows closed during heavy smoke, and avoid strenuous outdoor activity when the AQI is concerning.  A quick check-in with neighbors, friends, and family can make a real difference, especially for kids, older adults, and anyone with breathing issues.  More tips and suggestions are available on the Health Information tab of this blog.