Hazy days: Regional wildfires sending smoke to Whatcom County
Air quality was good across most of lowland Whatcom County early Thursday, amid gray skies from low clouds as a marine layer lingered.
As those clouds lift, however, smoke from wildfires in British Columbia and near Ross Lake in eastern Whatcom County could contribute to poor air quality later in the day, according to weather forecasters and air-quality officials.
“Surface-level air quality may dip into ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups,’ particularly in east Whatcom County where smoke from the Perry Fire could mix into the area. Expect widespread visible upper‑level haze, though concentrations at the surface remain moderate,” Seth Preston of the Northwest Clean Air Agency said. The “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category affects those with respiratory illnesses and conditions such as asthma, and also people who have chronic heart conditions.
The Perry Fire, which was sparked by lightning last week, has grown to more than 1,300 acres in size, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Environment Canada has issued an air quality alert for the Abbotsford, B.C., area.
“Smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility,” the Canadian weather agency said.
All that upper-level smoke will keep Whatcom County cooler than the rest of Western Washington, where temperatures will push toward the upper 70s, the National Weather Service said online.
“Fires on the east slopes of the Cascades became very active late Wednesday with the warm and unstable air mass in place. Southeasterly flow aloft has pushed a significant amount of smoke aloft over Northwest Washington,” the wether service said.
Friday looks to be a bit more clear, forecasters said.
“The upper-level ridge shifts east, and a weak shortwave offshore may bring some overhead ventilation, potentially thinning the smoke aloft. However, warm and dry conditions persist, especially in the Cascades foothills, where fire weather risks remain elevated,” the weather service said.
Clouds return with a chance of rain for the weekend, and that should improve air quality.
This story was originally published September 4, 2025 at 12:22 PM.
