Second verse, same as the first

We’re in a bit of a holding pattern to start the week: That’s good news if you’re in western Washington, where onshore winds will continue to keep the smoke at bay and maintain air quality in the green zone. Less good if you’re in north-central or southeast Washington, where large fires are producing a significant amount of smoke, which you can see by the dark maroon (hazardous) and light purple (very unhealthy) and red (unhealthy) on our monitoring map this morning.

Hazardous air quality on monitors near Winthrop

Air quality in those areas should improve as the day goes on and the warmth of the sun increases mixing in the atmosphere, allowing some of that smoke to dissipate. Still, expect air quality in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or Unhealthy range in Mazama, Winthrop, Twisp and surrounding communities.

Mean daily air quality readings in E. WA cities

In Clarkston and nearby communities, air quality should improve to the Moderate range as the day goes on, but expect to wake up to poor air quality conditions throughout the week. Southeast Washington is getting a glancing shot from smoke coming from the massive Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon, although the bulk of the smoke there is still coming from local fires.

Smoke from the Bootleg Fire in Oregon - NWS

Because of those air quality impacts in central and eastern Washington, we’ve again extended our Air Quality Alert for Asotin, Ferry, Garfield, Okanogan, Stevens and Whitman counties until further notice. Finally, thunderstorms are in the forecast again this week, and the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning through Wednesday for much of eastern Washington because of the elevated fire danger. 

We’ve got a long ways to go in this fire season yet, so stay safe out there.

7/19/2021 Smoke Outlook for North Central Washington Areas near the Cedar Creek, Delancy, and Cub Creek 2 Wildfires

 

A detailed version of this outlook with live links can be found here: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/northcentralwashington

*This outlook was produced through the support of the incident management team assigned to the Cedar Creek, Delancy, and Cub Creek 2 fire to help inform nearby communities of smoke impacts.

7/19/2021 Smoke Outlook for South East Washington and Other Areas Downwind of the Lick Creek Fire

 A detailed version of this outlook with live links can be found here: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/sewashington 

*This outlook was produced through the support of the incident management team assigned to the Lick Creek fire to help inform nearby communities of smoke impacts.

7/18/2021 Smoke Outlook for North Central Washington

 A detailed version of this outlook with live links can be found here: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/northcentralwashington

*This outlook was produced through the support of the incident management team assigned to the Cedar Creek, Delancy, and Cub Creek 2 fire to help inform nearby communities of smoke impacts.

7/17/2021 Smoke Outlook for N. Central Washington

A detailed version of this outlook with live links can be found here: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/northcentralwashington

*This outlook was produced through the support of the incident management team assigned to the Cedar Creek, Delancy, and Cub Creek 2 fire to help inform nearby communities of smoke impacts.

Cool southwest winds = cloudier + smoke- free skies in Western WA. Head east for sunshine + heat + smoke

'nuff said about western WA, although the satellite map overlaid with fine particle pollution data is worth a glance. Green circles = Good air.

Judging by monitor readings, much of the smoke over parts of eastern WA is staying overhead and not mixing down to ground level. A strong-ish push of marine air since last evening has scoured out a lot of the smoke and will "cool" temperatures into the mid 80's/ low 90's today. Welcome relief... for now.

But these winds are also raising the stakes in the fire danger game. There is a small risk of dry thunderstorms on Saturday night. For Sunday and later, expect more warming and reduced smoke dispersion.

There is an Air Quality Alert in effect covering the areas below. 

North central WA

Fires burning in the Methow valley and on the Colville Reservation are puffing a lot of smoke, but the Red Apple fire west of Wenatchee is not. Models suggest most of this smoke will not accumulate until Sunday or later, except of course right by the fires. 

The wildcard however is new fires. 

Southeastern WA

The Lick Creek fire in Asotin County is expected to continue emitting smoke, but again, the build-up of smoke will mostly be confined to the vicinity of the fires until late in the weekend. Smoke from the Bootleg fire in southern Oregon will also deal a glancing blow to this area under southwesterly winds. The Dept of Ecology's 5-day smoke forecast (which also has clickable pop-ups for each area), shows the air degrading to USG on occasion. 

Lick Creek Smoke Outlook - Friday, July 16, 2021

  Please note, this outlook was produced through the support of the incident management team assigned to the Lick Creek fire to help inform nearby communities of smoke impacts

Lick Creek Smoke Outlook - July 15, 2021

 Note: This outlook was produced through the support of the incident management team assigned to the Lick Creek fire to help inform nearby communities of smoke impacts

Lick Creek Smoke Outlook - July 14, 2021

Note: This outlook was produced through the support of the incident management team assigned to the Lick Creek fire to help inform nearby communities of smoke impacts

New and continued fire growth affecting air quality

Many residents of Central and Eastern Washington have been getting impacted by new and existing fires in the region, with the worst smoke impacts occurring in the cooler hours.  The air has been getting a little better today as the smoke stays mostly aloft, but it will stick around with more smoke to be generated this week.

Nespelem (Colville Reservation):  The Chuweah Creek fire and other lightning ignitions in the area started yesterday in timber, grass, and brush.  Information is limited but some estimates show over 12,000 acres have burned in the area, with 3 homes lost.  Evacuations are in effect and structures are still threatened.  Thick plumes can be seen traveling south today in the GOES imagery, with sensors reporting USG to Unhealthy air in the Grand Coulee area.  Winds will likely push smoke east over the next few days, and fire growth is expected.

Asotin:  The Lick Creek fire grew nearly 9,000 acres yesterday and has burned over 55,000 acres in grass and brush since it started on July 7.  Crews are working hard to manage the fire.  A lot of the smoke will continue to move south, but residents in Clarkston and Asotin will continue to experience USG air intermittently throughout the week.

Mazama (NW of Methow): The Varden and Cedar Creek fires grew 400 acres yesterday and have burned almost 1,000 acres in timber.  The Methow Valley has had Moderate to USG air and this will likely continue throughout the week, depending on fire activity. 

N. of Yakima: The Burbank fire grew 6,000 acres yesterday in grass and brush and has burned 13,000 acres since July 10.  Smoke has caused intermittent Moderate air in the area.  Good news though, evacuations have been cancelled as the fire crews have made good progress and secured containment lines along I-82.   

Canadian smoke has also been impacting residents around Oroville, as over 300 fires burn in B.C. Expected winds this week should clear out the current Unhealthy air, but nighttime stability will allow intermittent smoke impacts in the area throughout the week.

Seattle and the rest of Western Washington should be clear of smoke for the week, with perhaps some intermittent Moderate air.

A fire weather watch is in effect for Central and Eastern Washington from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday evening. Gusty winds and low relative humidity will cause fires to spread more easily.  A cold front should move through Thursday and increase relative humidity, but winds will still be a concern for fire growth.  Looks like it's going to be more ups and downs with the weather!  Please use caution when recreating or working near dry vegetation, as fire can ignite and spread easily in these conditions.