An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies:
Washington Department of Ecology
Colville Confederated Tribes
An Air Quality Alert, issued for all of Chelan County plus
the Methow Valley down to Brewster in Okanogan County as well as the
Colville Reservation will remain in effect until further notice, due
to expected smoke from the Pioneer Fire and other regional
wildfires. Particulate matter (PM2.5) may reach Unhealthy and
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups levels.
Health Impacts and Recommended Actions: When air quality is Unhealthy,
everyone should reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous
activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air. When air quality
is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, sensitive groups should take steps
to reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor
activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air. Everyone should
watch for symptoms as a sign to reduce exposure.
Agricultural and outdoor burning restrictions are in effect.
The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Fire Weather
Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from
Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening.
* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 708 Eastern Columbia Basin -
Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Fire Weather Zone 709
Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709).
* Winds: West 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
* Relative Humidities: 15 to 20 percent.
* Impacts: Any new or existing fires will have the potential to
spread rapidly.
The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from 2 PM to 9 PM PDT Wednesday.
* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 703 Okanogan Valley (Zone
703).
* Winds: Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
* Relative Humidities: 14 to 20 percent.
* Impacts: Any new or existing fires will have the potential to
spread rapidly.
...ISOLATED TO WIDELY SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
AND EVENING...
.An upper level trough offshore will be increasing instability and
moisture across the area, especially across the Blue mountains.
Thunderstorms will begin to develop early in the afternoon across
south central Oregon, and move across eastern and northeastern
Oregon as well as across far southeastern Washington throughout
the afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms will be capable of strong
outflows, small hail, and abundant lightning.
The National Weather Service in Pendleton has issued a Red Flag
Warning for abundant lightning, which is in effect from 2 PM to
11 PM PDT Wednesday.
* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 692 Blue Mountains of
Washington and 693 Southeast Washington Grande Ronde Valley.
* IMPACTS...Any lightning strikes combined with hot and dry
conditions could cause new fire starts.
* THUNDERSTORMS...Isolated to widely scattered. Lightning activity
level of 2 to 3.
* OUTFLOW WINDS...40 to 50 mph. Thunderstorm outflow winds may
result in erratic fire spread.
* WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.
* WHERE...Eastern Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington.
* WHEN...Until midnight PDT tonight.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
* WHAT...Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.
* WHERE...Kittitas Valley.
* WHEN...Until midnight PDT tonight.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
Strong onshore flow has led to west winds gusting 35 to 45 mph
this afternoon, which will continue into this evening. Locally
stronger gusts of up to 65 mph have been observed in the most
wind-prone locations. These winds will continue until about 8 PM,
then gradually ease after sunset.
Winds of this magnitude can blow around loose outdoor objects, so
it is a good idea to secure them if possible. Some tree limbs may
break, leading to isolated power outages this afternoon and
evening.
* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 696 East Washington Central
Cascades (Zone 696), Fire Weather Zone 697 East Portion of
North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation
Area (Zone 697), Fire Weather Zone 698 East Washington North
Cascades (Zone 698), Fire Weather Zone 704 Methow Valley (Zone
704) and Fire Weather Zone 705 Foothills of Central Washington
Cascades (Zone 705).
* Winds: West 15 to 20 mph with gusts of 30 mph or more. Be
prepared for the arrival of a dry cold front through the late
afternoon.
* Relative Humidities: 15 to 25 percent in the valleys and 25 to
35 percent over the higher terrain.
* Impacts: Rapid fire spread with any new or existing fires due to
gusty winds through the evening.
* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 703 Okanogan Valley (Zone
703).
* Winds: South 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
* Relative Humidities: 12 to 20 percent.
* Impacts: Rapid fire spread with any new or existing fires due to
gusty winds.
An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies:
Washington Department of Ecology
Colville Confederated Tribes
An Air Quality Alert, issued for all of Chelan County plus
the Methow Valley down to Brewster in Okanogan County as well as the
Colville Reservation will remain in effect until further notice, due
to expected smoke from the Pioneer Fire and other regional
wildfires. Particulate matter (PM2.5) may reach Unhealthy and
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups levels.
Health Impacts and Recommended Actions: When air quality is Unhealthy,
everyone should reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous
activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air. When air quality
is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, sensitive groups should take steps
to reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor
activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air. Everyone should
watch for symptoms as a sign to reduce exposure.
Agricultural and outdoor burning restrictions are in effect.
An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies:
Washington Department of Ecology
An Air Quality Alert, issued for all of Chelan County plus
the Methow Valley down to Brewster in Okanogan County will remain
in effect until further notice, due to expected smoke from the
Pioneer Fire and other regional wildfires. Particulate matter
(PM2.5) may reach Unhealthy and Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
levels.
Health Impacts and Recommended Actions: When air quality is Unhealthy,
everyone should reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous
activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air. When air quality
is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, sensitive groups should take steps
to reduce exposure. Limit time outside, avoid strenuous outdoor
activity, and follow tips for cleaner indoor air. Everyone should
watch for symptoms as a sign to reduce exposure.
Agricultural and outdoor burning restrictions are in effect.
* WHAT...Northwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 to 55 mph
expected.
* WHERE...Kittitas Valley.
* WHEN...From 2 PM this afternoon to midnight PDT tonight.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
* WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 40 to 50 mph expected.
* WHERE...Eastern Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington.
* WHEN...From 2 PM this afternoon to midnight PDT tonight.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
* WHAT...Hot conditions with temperatures up to 100 degrees. This
will pose a major risk of heat-related illness.
* WHERE...Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington, Grande
Ronde Valley, Wallowa County, John Day Basin, Foothills of the
Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon, Yakima Valley, and Foothills of
the Blue Mountains of Washington.
* WHEN...Until 10 PM PDT this evening.
* IMPACTS...Heat will significantly increase the risk of
heat-related illnesses for those who are sensitive to heat,
especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration.
* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 696 East Washington Central
Cascades (Zone 696), Fire Weather Zone 697 East Portion of
North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation
Area (Zone 697), Fire Weather Zone 698 East Washington North
Cascades (Zone 698), Fire Weather Zone 704 Methow Valley (Zone
704) and Fire Weather Zone 705 Foothills of Central Washington
Cascades (Zone 705).
* Winds: West 15 to 20 mph with gusts of 30 mph or more. Be
prepared for the arrival of a dry cold front between 4 PM and 6
PM.
* Relative Humidities: 15 to 25 percent in the valleys and 25 to
35 percent over the higher terrain.
* Lightning: There is a 10 percent chance of thunderstorms over
Chelan county prior to 9 AM. There is a 10 percent chance of
thunderstorms across western and central Okanogan county between
6 AM and 11 AM followed by additional isolated lightning between
2 PM and 5 PM.
* Impacts: Isolated thunderstorms will bring the risk for new fire
starts and gusty and erratic outflow winds. Rapid fire spread
with any new or existing fires due to gusty winds Monday
afternoon and evening.
* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 703 Okanogan Valley (Zone
703).
* Winds: South 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
* Relative Humidities: 12 to 20 percent.
* Lightning: There is 10% chance for thunderstorms over western
and central Okanogan county between 6 AM and 11 AM followed by
additional isolated lightning between 2 PM and 5 PM. Gusty
outflow winds up to 35 mph possible.
* Impacts: Rapid fire spread with any new or existing fires due to
gusty winds. Isolated thunderstorms will bring the risk for new
fire starts and gusty and erratic outflow winds.
* WHAT...Hot conditions with temperatures up to 100 degrees. This
will pose a major risk of heat-related illness.
* WHERE...Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington, Grande
Ronde Valley, Wallowa County, John Day Basin, Foothills of the
Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon, Yakima Valley, and Foothills of
the Blue Mountains of Washington.
* WHEN...Until 10 PM PDT this evening.
* IMPACTS...Heat will significantly increase the risk of
heat-related illnesses for those who are sensitive to heat,
especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration.
* WHAT...High temperatures 95 to 105 this afternoon.
* WHERE...Portions of North and North Central Idaho and Central,
East Central, North Central, Northeast, and Southeast Washington.
* WHEN...Until 8 PM PDT this evening.
* IMPACTS...Today won't be as hot as it was Sunday, but the risk of
heat related illnesses remains high for those without access to
air conditioning. Exposure to hot weather day after day increases
the potential for heat stress.
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 104
degrees. This will pose a major risk of heat-related illness.
* WHERE...Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington, Grande
Ronde Valley, Wallowa County, John Day Basin, Foothills of the
Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon, Yakima Valley, and Foothills of
the Blue Mountains of Washington.
* WHEN...Until 10 PM PDT Monday.
* IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the risk of
heat-related illnesses for much of the population, especially
those who are heat sensitive and those without effective cooling
or adequate hydration.
* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 658 West Slopes of the North
Cascades Generally above 1500 Feet and Fire Weather Zone 659
West Slopes of the Central Cascades Generally above 1500 Feet.
* THUNDERSTORMS...Scattered chance of thunderstorms over the
Cascade mountains with LAL 3 during the afternoon and evening
hours.
* OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusty and erratic winds are possible in the
vicinity of any thunderstorms that develop.
* IMPACTS...Scattered lightning in dry fuels can cause multiple
fire starts. Thunderstorms can also bring sudden sharp wind
shifts on existing fires, causing rapid changes in a fire's
rate of spread and direction of spread. Thunderstorm outflow
winds can be a threat for several hours following the start of
a new lightning-caused fire. If a fire were to begin, air
quality may diminish in the surrounding area.
