Upriver Beacon Fire in Spokane and Fires in Oregon

The Upriver Beacon Fire near Camp Sekani Park has caused visible smoke and haze around Spokane.  Several crews responded to the fire and recent news reports say firefighters built a line completely around the 115 acre fire, minimizing the chance of more fire growth.  All mandatory evacuations have been lifted but Beacon Hill, Shields Park, and Camp Sekani are closed on Wednesday.  We expect the fire to cause smoke and haze in the area today, with southwesterly winds blowing most of the plume to the northeast of Spokane Valley.  Current air quality around the Spokane area is Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, which could persist throughout the day.

There are also fires in Oregon that have pushed smoke towards Walla Walla, Clarkston, and other communities in southeastern Washington.  The Substation Fire has grown to nearly 30,000 acres and will continue to grow, but a new fire in Heppner was mostly put out.  Westerly winds are expected to blow smoke from Oregon to the east, mostly missing Washington, but causing some intermittent Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups smoke intrusions for the next couple days.

PM2.5 in micrograms per cubic meter for Clarkston, Walla Walla, and Spokane

Light smoke over Seattle courtesy of Kings Landing Fire near Shelton

Moderate air quality was recorded at several Seattle area monitors this morning. It appears that winds are transporting smoke from a 62-acre fire near Shelton. Communities closer to the fires are likely experiencing worse conditions.

Assuming the fire continues to burn, models suggest that winds will transport light smoke over the area until Wednesday, with Moderate air expected tonight and tomorrow morning. Smoke should dissipate during the afternoons, leading to Good air. A wind shift and increase in speed is likely on Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon, so less smoke impacts are expected during that time.

Please make use of the resources on this blog to safeguard your health during smoke episodes.

2018 wildfire season is at our doorstep. Are you ready?

First, the good news

As of now, there are no major fires or large areas of smoke anywhere in Washington State. Smaller fires have mostly burned out or are under control and yesterday's satellite picture overlaid with air quality data shows near-ideal conditions statewide. Green dots = Good air quality. Some light density smoke was present aloft between Walla Walla and Hermiston, OR.

Now for a few words of warning

The National Weather Service in Spokane released this graphic that says it all:

Thankfully there is little to no moisture associated with this cold front so the chance of lightning is low. So to get through this weekend unscathed, we need to minimize human- caused fires. Fire danger is high due to dryness, so we must be vigilant.

Winds will die down Sunday through Tuesday so smoke from any new fires will pool around the sources.

What can we do?

It goes without saying that we need to do our part to prevent human- caused fires. Plenty of resources on that topic available here, here, here and here. And, as explained in the previous post, prepare yourself for smoke. It's only a matter of time before it shows up.

We will provide smoke forecasts on an as-needed basis, giving y'all as much lead time as we can. Keep watching this space.

6/26/2018 Prepare for Fire Season

It's too soon to know if the coming wildfire season will blanket the state in smoke like we experienced last summer but there are actions you can take now to be ready just in case:

Wildfire Smoke Health Impacts

Wildfire smoke associated with more ER visits for heart, stroke ailments among seniors.
 Journal of the American Heart Association Report

Check out latest Journal of American Heart Association Report

Study Highlight:

• Exposure to smoke from wildfires was associated with increased rates of emergency room visits for heart- and stroke-related illness, especially among adults age 65 and older.   

• Wildfire smoke contains many pollutants including ozone, carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter which is linked to cardiovascular risk. People with underlying cardiovascular disease risk factors may be at risk for an acute heart, brain or blood vessel event when exposed to wildfire smoke.
   

9/29/2017 Seeing smoke?

Fall Prescribed Burning

This is the time of year when land managers and firefighters have a chance to safely use fire in a controlled manner to reduce fuel loads in the forest. Prescribed burning can benefit ecosystems, improve wildlife habitat, and lessen the chance of future uncontrollable wildfires and severe smoke episodes. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates forestry burning in Washington and always attempts to keep smoke from impacting the public to any great extent. You can find out if there's an approved forestry burn near you by visiting this page:
https://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/protection/burnrequests/

Also, for those of you on near or downwind of the  east slopes of the Cascades, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest maintains a nice interactive map that displays their planned and active burns at the link below. Note that you can zoom way in to see the perimeters of planned burns.

Oka-Wen prescribed fire map

And if you're a Facebook or Twitter user you can follow the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest there too:

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Twitter 

Photo by Jason Emhoff

North Central Washington Smoke Outlook 20 Sept 2017

Central Washington Smoke Outlook 20 Sept 2017

North Central Washington Smoke Outlook 19 Sept 2017

Central Washington Smoke Outlook for 19 Sept 2017