Seattle Air Quality Alerts Cover 5 Counties as Wildfire Smoke May Turn Unhealthy Through Thursday
Updated
Updated · The Seattle Times · Aug 4
Seattle Air Quality Alerts Cover 5 Counties as Wildfire Smoke May Turn Unhealthy Through Thursday
3 articles · Updated · The Seattle Times · Aug 4
Summary
Burnt-orange smoke blanketed Seattle overnight after winds shifted Monday, prompting air quality alerts through Wednesday in King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish and Thurston counties.
Northeasterly flow pulled smoke from the Spokane Complex and other Eastern and Central Washington fires into Puget Sound, and forecasters said haze mixing to the surface could make air unhealthy for the general public Tuesday through Thursday.
The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency urged residents—especially children, seniors, pregnant people and those with heart or lung conditions—to stay indoors, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, close windows, use recirculating air or portable cleaners, and wear N95 or N100 masks if needed.
Friday is the earliest likely clearing point as low-level winds are expected to turn Thursday night, but the National Weather Service warned warming and drying through Friday will keep near-critical fire weather risks elevated in the Cascades and Olympics.