Tri-Cities blanketed in smoke, making air ‘very unhealthy.’ Fires close I-90 to Spokane
The Tri-Cities choked under a blanket of smoke Saturday, with smoky conditions forecast to persist through the weekend.
The air quality in the Tri-Cities worsened to a rating of unhealthy starting at 9 a.m., according to the Washington state Department of Ecology.
At 6 p.m. Saturday the Department of Ecology updated the rating to “very unhealthy.”
The department and the Benton Clean Air Agency have issued an air quality alert that includes all of Benton and Franklin County, plus counties north to the Canadian border, through at least 9 a.m. Monday.
Much of the smoke in the Tri-Cities area Saturday morning was drifting south from a large fire burning just north of central Washington in British Columbia, Canada, with winds from the north in northern Washington pushing south toward the Tri-Cities, said Ann Adams, assistant forecaster with the weather service, Saturday morning.
At the same time, Hurricane Hilary was pushing toward the north along the Pacific Coast, sending smoke in Western Oregon toward the Tri-Cities.
Later in the day a large fire burning just southwest of Spokane at Medical Lake likely contributed to the smoky air in the Tri-Cities.
Spokane County declared a state of emergency, with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources reporting the Gray Fire at 9,500 acres Saturday morning. It was about 10% contained.
The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center said the fire was not expected to be contained until Thursday.
The Department of National Resources reported one person dead.
The fire destroyed 185 structures, including homes around Medical Lake, Spokane Councilman Zack Zappone posted on social media Saturday morning.
Another fire in Northeast Washington, the Oregon Road Fire about four miles northeast of Elk, Wash., and about 20 miles northeast of Spokane had burned more than 8,000 acres as of Saturday. It was 0% contained Saturday morning.
The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center had no estimated date for its containment.
Interstate 90 was closed Friday evening southwest of Spokane after fire jumped the interstate and smoke limited visibility, according to the Washington state Department of Transportation.
A detour was set up on Highway 904 through Cheney until that road also closed. It reopened for a time Saturday and then closed again from I-90 to Cheney.
As of 5 p.m. Saturday, Interstate 90 was open westbound but but remained closed eastbound at Sprague. A detour was in place.
Unhealthy Tri-Cities air
As the weekend ends, an upper-level disturbance should change the wind direction to bring relief to the Tri-Cities from smoky air, according to the weather service.
The Tri-Cities is just on the edge of rain storm forecast for Monday night and Tuesday, but could have some light rain.
In the meantime, due to the very unhealthy air quality in the Tri-Cities area, everyone should stay indoors and avoid all strenuous activity when air quality is rated as “very unhealthy,” according to Washington state Department of Health recommendations.
Air pollution from smoke can cause burning eyes, a runny nose and aggravate chronic illnesses, according to information from the Benton Clean Air Agency.
As air worsens, more people may have breathing problems.
The poor air quality may be particularly difficult for children, pregnant women, seniors and smokers, in addition to people with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, respiratory disease, diabetes or a history of stroke.
To keep indoor air as clean as possible, windows should be closed, when possible. Air conditioners should be set to “recirculation.”
Avoid vacuuming, using essential oil diffusers, and burning candles or incense.
Masks rated N96 or N100 offer some protection from air pollution, the Benton Clean Air Agency said during previous air quality alerts. However, cloth masks meant to protect against COVID-19 are not effective against smoke particles.
