Wildfire smoke fills the air near Sumner, south of Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Wildfire smoke fills the air near Sumner, south of Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Wildfire smoke could linger through early next week

Fires continue to blaze in eastern Washington, sending smoke and unhealthy air to Puget Sound.

EVERETT — Wildfire smoke from eastern Washington may stick around until early next week, according to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

On Wednesday, air quality levels were unhealthy for sensitive groups like those with underlying heart or lung diseases (including COVID-19), the elderly, those who are pregnant and children. Those conditions were predicted to persist through Thursday, with levels ranging from moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups through the weekend.

Early next week, westerly winds might bring cleaner ocean air, according to the agency.

Many areas, including Snohomish and Island counties, upped their burn ban restrictions this week to include recreational fires. Local fires can add to air pollution.

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency advises that those sensitive to smoke stay at home when possible and limit outdoor activity.

If you need to go outside, consult the agency’s real-time air quality map at map.pscleanair.gov to check the current conditions in your area and plan around them.

Agency forecaster Joel Creswell said people should make a clean-air space in their homes. To do so, close all the windows and doors to one room and use an air cleaner. Or make an air cleaner with a box fan and a furnace filter.

If your home gets unbearably hot, open windows for a short period of time. If you have an air conditioner, use it in re-circulation mode.

Masks labeled “N95” or “N100” are the most effective to protect from air pollution, according to the agency. A cloth face covering offers limited protection and should only be used as a last resort.

Nine large wildfires have been ablaze across the state this week.

Roughly 300,000 acres burned Monday alone, more than double the acreage lost in wildfires in all of 2019. All are thought to be caused by people, though it is not yet known if any were set deliberately or accidentally.

Julia-Grace Sanders: 425-339-3439; jgsanders@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @sanders_julia.

Keep an eye on air quality

Visit www.pscleanair.gov and fire.airnow.gov to monitor the weather.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.