Air quality improves in E. Washington

SPOKANE — People are breathing easier in parts of central Washington, where for the first time in nearly two weeks there are no reports of hazardous air conditions.

The air quality in the Wenatchee area is now listed as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” an improvement over the “hazardous” designation.

Firefighters are getting a handle on two big fires in that region. The Wenatchee Complex of wildfires covers about 83 square miles and is about 30 percent contained. The Table Mountain fire is about 56 square miles and about 10 percent contained.

The bad news is that the state Department of Ecology says air quality in Eastern Washington is expected to get worse starting on Wednesday.

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