Triple-digit temperatures and low humidity combined to cancel out air quality improvements caused by cooler, wetter weather last weekend.
The Okanogan wildfires are spewing smoke again, and the Schneider Springs fire northwest of Natchez is now pushing smoke into Yakima Valley.
Not great!
Air quality across eastern Washington Thursday began in the unhealthy range for sensitive to unhealthy groups.
The air quality effects will get worse through Friday, then the smoke will start to thin out on Saturday before an even bigger cold front arrives on Sunday.
The Washington Department of the Environment issued an air quality alert for all of eastern Washington as of 10 a.m. Monday.
By late Sunday, the air quality should improve a lot, if we can avoid new fires. However, local effects are likely to continue in Okanogan, Ferry and Yakima counties early next week.
