From the blog that reports smoke from fires in Washington State:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2015
Smoke forecast through Monday 24 August
We are deeply saddened by the loss of local firefighters, homes, property and
wild spaces in our region. Stay safe and look out for each other.
wild spaces in our region. Stay safe and look out for each other.
Link: Firefighters killed near Twisp: ‘three big heroes protecting small towns’
Richard Wheeler, Tom Zbyszewski, and Andrew Zajac.
(Photos courtesy of the families)
Air quality has improved across much of eastern Washington in the last
12 hours as the dry cold front pushed through, increasing the intensity of
northwest winds. Most areas are reporting Good air quality now.
But alas, reports of rapid fire growth are steadily streaming in.
The Red Flag Warning remains in place until at least 11:00 pm PDT
with high wind gusts in many areas (up to 50 mph in the Okanogan Valley).
There is also a strong possibility of windblown dust in the Columbia Basin today.
Things calm down on Saturday morning and surface winds turn east to
northeast in much of the state (north winds in the Okanogan and
Columbia River Valleys) through about Sunday afternoon.
The smoke we exported to Idaho and Montana will return to us along with
smoke from Idahoan fires. Smoke is very likely to make its way into
Western Washington as well. However plumes that are able to get
high enough will likely get caught in westerly flow aloft and keep
heading eastbound.
Keep a close eye on the monitors and local forecasts as expected levels
of pollution will depend on today’s fire growth. Expect pollution to begin to
build regionally over the weekend. Valley winds will be mostly terrain driven,
so expect poor air quality at night. Overnight temperature inversions are
likely to be strong, so smoke wont clear out all that quickly after sunrise.
of pollution will depend on today’s fire growth. Expect pollution to begin to
build regionally over the weekend. Valley winds will be mostly terrain driven,
so expect poor air quality at night. Overnight temperature inversions are
likely to be strong, so smoke wont clear out all that quickly after sunrise.
Areas close to fires and the far eastern parts of the state are likely to
see air quality varying from Moderate to Hazardous.
see air quality varying from Moderate to Hazardous.
Columbia Basin and Cascade Foothills communities, including communities
close to the Columbia River Gorge will likely see air quality varying from
Good to Unhealthy.
close to the Columbia River Gorge will likely see air quality varying from
Good to Unhealthy.
Western Washington including the Puget Sound region is likely to see periods of Moderate or USG air.
National Weather Service has also issued Air Quality Alerts for much
of eastern Washington due to wildfire smoke, through noon on Monday.
of eastern Washington due to wildfire smoke, through noon on Monday.
Orange sun from the dust makes this pattern on the rug on the floor;
shadow from my wheelchair footrests
I still cannot go out because the air is too unhealthy for me. I am patient and used to not going out. My cough is better and we still pray for rain, but not so much as to cause floods!
I have heard a lot about the El Nino again this coming winter season. So they say not as much snow and more rain than average.
It will be an interesting winter for me for my first winter in Spokane.
