An air quality alert remains for Kittitas and Yakima due to wildfire smoke.
KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash. — People in Kittitas and Yakima counties are being warned of potentially unhealthy air quality due to wildfire smoke.
An Air Quality Alert issued by the National Weather Service is in effect until further notice due to current and anticipated wildfire smoke from the Wildcat Fire.
The Wildcat Fire is burning in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, east of Mount Rainier. It’s currently burned an estimated 1,100 acres. It was believed to be caused by lightning.
When air quality is unhealthy, people in impacted areas are advised to limit their time outside and avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
As of Tuesday afternoon, much of central and eastern Washington, as well as the Seattle-Tacoma area, was experiencing “moderate” air quality, according to the Department of Ecology’s air quality map. The coast, southwest Washington and areas north of Everett were all under “good” air quality.
Meanwhile, a Red Flag Warning is in effect for a portion of the Cascades until 9 p.m. Wednesday for hot and dry conditions. The warning impacts the western slope of the Cascades generally above 1,500 feet.
A Heat Advisory is in effect for the western Cascade foothills until 5 p.m. Thursday. The weather service warns of temperatures in the upper 80s to mid-90s, with low overnight temperatures in the 60s and low 70s.
By the weekend, high pressure begins to drift east and a large upper level low will develop off the Oregon and California coasts. This should provide more clouds and gradually cooler temperatures with highs mainly in the 70s.
