Thursday, October 1, 2026
NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON — Air quality is quickly deteriorating throughout North Central Washington as fires burn throughout and around the region, posing health risks for both vulnerable and healthy populations.
The nearby Little Giant Fire, located in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, is burning over 51,000 acres, putting communities among Lake Wenatchee, Entiat, Chelan and Manson under evacuation notice.
Further north, the Sinlahekin, Ptarmigan, Luna, and the Border 2 fires are burning near the Canadian border, with several prominent fires burning in British Columbia.
In Eastern Washington, communities have been devastated by multiple large fires, including the Autumn Lane Fire, Old Trails Fire, Mitre Rock Fire, Modrite Fire, Hudspeth Fire, Bradeen Hill Fire, Kaiser Canyon Fire, and Paradise Fire.
In response to the cumulative wildfire smoke, an Air Quality Alert (AQA) is in place for Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Okanogan, and Stevens counties.
Smoke Outlook
According to the U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program, widespread smoke east of the Cascade Crest is expected for this week. After a windy weekend, calmer weather means smoke will linger in the valleys of the region, particularly along lower Lake Chelan and the Entiat River, as well as the Methow Valley and along the Columbia from Brewster to Entiat. While periods of good conditions are unlikely for this week, officials forecast smoky conditions in the morning with modest relief in the afternoon for some areas.
The Washington Smoke Blog forecasts dynamic smoke and fire conditions over the next few days. A strong high pressure system will result in hot and dry conditions and winds coming from the north and northeast, allowing smoke to engulf the region through the week.
According to Air Resource Advisors of the Little Giant Fire, smoke in the Entiat and Chelan areas are expected to reach “Hazardous” levels by Monday evening, with thick smoke persisting through Tuesday at “Very Unhealthy” levels. Heavy smoke will persist through Wednesday at an “Unhealthy” level, with some clearing expected during the day and heavy smoke at night.
Conditions in Wenatchee will worsen Monday night to “Very Unhealthy” before seeing some reprieve. Officials expect smoke to thin a bit in the late afternoon Tuesday and return in the evening. At best, AQI will be “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” but will remain “Unhealthy” on average. This pattern is expected through Wednesday.
In Leavenworth, smoke will likely be heaviest Tuesday morning and evening, reaching “Very Unhealthy” levels. Conditions are expected to improve to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” during the day with up-drainage winds helping clear the air. Unhealthy levels of smoke are expected to persist through Wednesday.
The Lake Wenatchee and Plain areas will see consistently poor conditions this week, with AQI ranging from “Very Unhealthy” to “Hazardous.” The area may see a small break Tuesday afternoon with “Moderate” conditions, but AQI is expected to return to dangerous levels.
The Methow Valley will likely have the best air quality Tuesday, with conditions hanging around “Moderate” until reaching “Unhealthy” levels in the evening. This pattern is expected to continue.
While Brewster will see “Very Unhealthy” levels Monday night into Tuesday morning, air quality is expected to improve to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” by late morning. However, heavy smoke is expected to continue into Wednesday and beyondSmoke continuing.Heavy smoke will continue Wednesday and beyond, remaining around “Unhealthy” levels.
A Guide to Air Quality Index (AQI) from the U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program
Good — Green (0-50)
No precautions need to be taken.
Yellow —- Moderate (51-100)
Unusually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion.
Orange —- USG: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150)
People within Sensitive Groups should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion
Red —- Unhealthy (151-200)
People within Sensitive Groups should avoid all physical outdoor activity.
Purple —-Very Unhealthy (201-300)
Everyone should avoid all physical outdoor activity.
Maroon —- Hazardous (301 or higher)
Everyone should avoid any outdoor activity.
Prolonged periods of poor air quality are becoming the new normal as wildfire seasons start earlier and last longer. According to Wildfire NCW, the region has averaged 40 to 50 days with wildfire smoke impact per year between 2006 and 2023, up from 30 to 40 days a few years earlier. Because of this extended exposure, it’s important to understand the health risks.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of air pollutants, but the greatest health risk is fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), which is small enough to travel deep into lungs. Fine particles are respiratory irritants, and exposures to high concentrations can lead to persistent coughing, phlegm, wheezing and difficulty breathing. They may also affect the body’s ability to remove viruses and bacteria from the lungs.
While health effects of short-term exposure can be relatively minor, they can also be more serious. The EPA warns that exposure could exacerbate asthma and heart failure, leading to premature death. It also cites initial evidence that short-term smoke exposure may lead to preterm birth and impact brain function.
Though most healthy adults will recover quickly, the EPA says some populations are at greater risk of experiencing health effects, including children, older adults, pregnant women, people with heart or lung disease and people with increased exposures, such as outdoor workers.
Outdoors
When air quality is in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category (Orange, AQI 101-150), the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) recommends limiting the amount of time spent outside and the intensity of physical activity. Wearing a properly fitted NIOSH-approved particulate respirator, such as an N95 mask, is recommended.
Everyone should limit their activities when air quality is in the “Unhealthy” category. (Red, AQI 151 or higher).
Because people have a wide range of responses to smoke and low and high levels, the DOH recommends paying attention to personal symptoms and adjusting as needed. Even if you feel okay during the activity, smoke exposure can still be harmful to your health.
Those with asthma, lung or heart conditions may be more sensitive to smoke when the air quality is in the “Moderate” category (Yellow, AQI 51-100)
The DOH alsoYou should also avoid giving your pet outdoor exercise during periods of poor air quality. Take pets outside for brief bathroom breaks only.
While Driving
The DOH recommends using the air conditioner and setting filtration to recirculate, which can help keep the smoky air out. However, the department added, carbon dioxide levels can build up and cause sleepiness; shifting from recirculating air to drawing in new air might be needed periodically.
The DOH recommends maintaining car intake filters and treating smoke as another weather hazard that can impact visibility while on the road.
Indoors
If you can, filter air through an HVAC system, a HEPA portable air cleaner or DIY box fan filter. While managing outdoor smoke is key, the DOH says to be mindful of creating more indoor pollution. Avoid burning candles, incense or wood; using sprays, diffused essential oils or air fresheners; broiling or frying food; using gas or propane stoves and ovens; smoking or vaping; sweeping or vacuuming unless using a vacuum with an HEPA filter.
Take advantage of periods of improved air quality to open windows and set the HVAC system to intake fresh air. Just don’t forget to close windows and turn off the fresh air intake when conditions turn.
If keeping windows closed or filtering indoor air is not possible, wearing an N95 mask for short periods can be helpful in places such as public transportation or commercial and public buildings. If cleaner air at home can’t be maintained, DOH recommends spending time elsewhere, such as a friend or family member’s house, an indoor public space or another unimpacted area. Clean air shelters can be located on the 2-1-1 site. NCW Libraries throughout the region are listed as available locations.
Limit exposure for kids, pets and livestock
According to the DOH, children are more sensitive to health effects from smoke because they breathe in more air for their body weight compared to adults, increasing the total amount of air pollution that is breathed in. Additionally, the respiratory system also develops until about age 21. Children with health conditions are at a higher risk. All children and youth may also be at risk for declines in academic performance, neurodevelopmental problems, and chronic conditions in adulthood from smoke exposure, the DOH added.
Adjustments should also be made for pets and livestock. The DOH recommends calling your veterinarian if an animal is experiencing any signs of smoke irritation, such as coughing or gagging, nasal discharge, fatigue or weakness, disorientation or stumbling, or difficulty breathing (open mouth breathing, increased noise when breathing, increased breathing rate, or all three.)
Try to limit your pet’s outside time to bathroom breaks and find ways to play with them inside. For livestock, the DOH recommends preventing further irritation of the airways: maintain fresh water, soak hay to prevent inhalation of dust particles, and limit dust exposure by feeding low-dust or dust-free feeds and sprinkling or misting the livestock holding area.
Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media
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