Air Quality Dips In Puget Sound Due To Wildfire Smoke

SEATTLE, WA — The air quality in Puget Sound will be a little bit poorer than normal this week, according to the Puget Sound Clear Air Agency (PSCAA), due to wildfires burning around the region.

Through at least Wednesday, air quality will be "moderate" for healthy adults and sensitive groups for rigorous outdoor activity like biking or running. Air quality will also be moderate for light outdoor activity like walking for sensitive groups.

A shift in wind patterns may clear out the air by Wednesday, according to PSCAA.

As of Monday morning, there were five wildfires burning in Eastern Washington, plus three in southern and central Oregon. Three of the Washington fires — Kusshi Creek, Left Hand, and Devore Creek — are burning on the eastern slopes of the Cascades. The largest is the Left Hand fire, which is burning across 3,400 acres near Naches. That fire was caused by a July 23 lightning strike.

The PSCAA air quality forecast covers Pierce, King, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties and the Cascades.