Wildfires are still burning in Whatcom and B.C. Here’s what to expect for smoke
A faint odor of smoke hung in the air before dawn for a second day as smoke from wildfires in Eastern Washington and British Columbia blew west toward Whatcom County, including fires east of Mount Baker.
Air quality registered good at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, in Whatcom and Skagit counties, and the Northwest Clean Air Agency and the National Weather Service said conditions should remain that way for now.
But smoke was possible in King and Snohomish counties and not out of the question farther north in Western Washington, meteorologist Matthew Cullen said online.
“Skies remain mostly sunny, though some smoke and haze from nearby fires will move though,” Cullen said.
“Otherwise, mild and sunny conditions today with temperatures holding slightly above seasonal normals. Expect little change in overall conditions into Wednesday. Elevated fire weather conditions can be expected today with the lowering relative humidity and breezy winds approaching critical values,” he said.
Forecasts through Thursday call for sunny skies with daytime temperatures in the 70s, above the normal high of 67 for late summer in Bellingham.
For now, the Northwest Clean Air Agency said Monday that surface air quality should be good, even though upper-level smoke might create hazy skies.
“We’re not out of wildfire season yet!” the agency tweeted. “Make sure you’re ready if another smoke event reaches Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties.”
