Poor air quality spread across parts of the Pacific Northwest this week as winds push smoke from surrounding wildfires into the region.
Air quality alerts were in effect for much of Washington state.
See a map here with real-time air quality conditions by city.
Monday, conditions around Washington state ranged from moderate to hazardous.
Smoky, hazy conditions made a return to the Puget Sound region because of wildfires in British Columbia and the Cascade Mountains, according to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
An air quality alert was also in place across eastern Washington and north Idaho. Smoke from fires in British Columbia drifting into Washington and Idaho caused unhealthy air levels through Tuesday, the weather service said.
Air quality conditions Thursday improved in the Seattle region after days of unhealthy smoke and haze, but officials warned it’s not over yet.
The National Weather Service has had an air quality alert since Sunday and it remains in effect until noon Thursday.
The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency reports the smoke has begun clearing but there’s still moderate to unhealthy amounts of pollution remaining.
Even healthy adults in Snohomish County north of the city should remain indoors.
On Sunday afternoon, several monitors in north-central Washington state showed air quality at hazardous levels.
Two women's college soccer matches scheduled at Gonzaga University in Spokane and Eastern Washington University in Cheney were canceled Sunday because of the poor air quality, university officials said.
Air pollution can be a particular concern to sensitive groups such as the elderly, children and those with respiratory conditions. But high levels of pollution can affect everyone.
Read how you can stay healthy during smoky wildfire air at this link.
Environmental regulators also issued a pollution advisory for southwest Washington, Portland and much of the Willamette Valley. The air quality level was expected to reach into unhealthy for sensitive groups.
An air pollution advisory for southern Oregon was in effect.
More smoke-related news from KIRO 7:
- How to protect yourself during smoke days
- Smoke from brush fire near Maple Valley shuts down WB Highway 18 for hours
- Wildfire smoke causing flight delays at Sea-Tac Airport
- When will smoke clear in Seattle? KIRO 7 PinPoint Meteorologist weighs in
- Do you have an investigative story tip? Send us an email at investigate@kiro7.com
Associated Press
