"Super-massive body of smoke" expected to impact most of WA Thursday night through the weekend

[Mrs. Overall]

https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

There is a super-massive body of smoke moving over Southwestern Washington. This smoke from Oregon and California is expected to impact Western Washington, the Columbia Basin, and even Spokane as it moves overhead. Not much smoke has mixed down to the surface yet, but smoke forecasts show Unhealthy or worse levels starting tonight on the Peninsula and then through the I-5 Corridor. The Columbia River Gorge region is expected to be Unhealthy or worse tomorrow morning. Smoke continues to be a problem in Central Washington and in the north Cascades as well because of our own fires.

Also visit the air quality map at the WA Dept. of Ecology: https://ecology.wa.gov/Air-Climate/Air-quality (click on "see current air quality in my area" link)

See also article in the Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/dry-windy-weather-helps-wildfires-keep-raging-across-washington-state-thursday/

[cilla4progress]

1. Oh wow.

Do you live in Washington? I live in N. Central Washington. Not "too" bad here...we are used to smoky skies over the past 20 years or so here - on and off, in the summer. Some years it is actually nauseating!

Lost our home in a wildfire in 1994. In 2018 we were on mandatory evac status, but no loss.

Several years ago I bought a really good air cleaner. I have had to sleep with it next to my bed some years!

Horrible about the family who lost a child in Okanogan Co. Next county over from me. Had some terrifying moments over the weekend here. Went into fire / prep status.

I ache for the wildlife and animals that live outdoors, several of which are my family members.

Stay safe and healthy!

[Mrs. Overall]

6. Hi cilla4progress! I live in Western WA (on the western side of Puget Sound) and this evening

the air quality isn't too bad yet. I am just starting to see some haze coming in.

Someone from our neighborhood who is connected with WA Emergency Management posted a message on our virtual community board indicating that the air quality is expected to be so unhealthy tomorrow and Saturday that we should stay indoors and not go outside at all unless we absolutely must.

I'm sorry to hear about you losing your home to fire in '94 and the fact that you are in fire prep mode now. It's such a stressful situation (and on top of the pandemic, life seems so strangely surreal).

I have family members in CA who are evacuated and just learned that my aunt's home just outside of Ashland, OR burned yesterday.

I'm with you regarding the devastating effects these fires (and smoke) have on wildlife and all animals that are outdoors. I take care of a small group of feral cats (they have been trapped/released for spaying/neutering) and I'm hoping they can find some shelter maybe under a building that might provide better air this weekend. I just can't fathom the loss of life (human and animal) that has been occurring the past two weeks in WA, OR, and CA due to these fires.

Please take care and wishing the best for you and all of your family in North Central WA. Be safe!

[uppityperson]

2. Just got smoky on the Olympic peninsula. Hot and smoky

[onecaliberal]

3. California is on fire, we have had smoke filled skies for a month

[montanacowboy]

4. Can Smell it Now

Coming our way now, I can smell it. Sno County.

So sad for everyone's loss, homes, animals, land. It's like the plagues of Egypt have descended upon us.

[GP6971]

5. Looks like it's going to be bad.

Already smelling it in SW Pierce County and there is absolutely no surface wind right now.

[cilla4progress]

7. Climate change is

upon us.

And also I'm hearing they are human-caused, and then spreading exponentially due to climate conditions.

What I don't know is - is there suspicion they are being intentionally set? Civil unrest?

[RainCaster]

8. Almost 10pm in North Kitsap, no smoke smell yet

I sure hope the fires don't start here.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

9. View of the cloud

Link to tweet

?s=20

[GP6971]

10. Right now it's bad

and KIRO is saying it probably will get worse before it gets better. Earliest relief not until Sunday afternoon at the earliest...if that.