SerpApi.Org
Smoke was fouling the air in the Tri-Cities Monday afternoon, with monitors showing air rated “unhealthy” or “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
Air quality could worsen overnight.
As of late Monday afternoon, air monitors at the north edges of Pasco and Richland, in Finley and in north Franklin County at Basin City, Eltopia and Mesa were rated as unhealthy for all people.
Other monitors in Richland and Kennewick showed air quality that was rated as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
The smoke is mostly coming from multiple fires sparked by lightning last week in the Oregon Cascade Mountains, according to the National Weather Service. More thunderstorms are possible there Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Fires also continued to burn in Franklin County Monday.
The largest was the Lyons Ferry fire, which had spread to about 34,000 acres in Franklin, Adams and Whitman counties and was 28% contained Monday, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association. Additional smaller fires were burning along the Snake River.
The Benton Clean Air Agency issued an air quality alert due to wildfire smoke Monday afternoon, saying residents should prepare for smokier air through 9 a.m. Wednesday.
With fire danger rated as “very high,” nearby fires are possible that could cause air quality to quickly deteriorate, it said.
The National Weather Service also issued an air quality alert for most towns in Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties, including the Tri-Cities, Monday afternoon through 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Smoky air from wildfires often starts to worsen as the sun sets in the Tri-Cities and an inversion traps smoke close to the ground, with the smokiest air usually early to mid-morning.
Tri-Cities heat advisory
The weather service also has the Tri-Cities, along with most of Eastern Washington, under a heat advisory from 11 a.m. Tuesday through 9 p.m. Thursday.
Tuesday the high in the Tri-Cities is expected to hit 100 for just the third time this summer in the Tri-Cities.
The forecast calls for smoke clearing Wednesday and Thursday, allowing the temperature to get as hot as 103 both days.
Overnight lows will be in the low 70s Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Overnight lows in the 70s pose a health risk for people who don’t have a place for their bodies to get some relief from hot daytime temperatures as they sleep.
Normal highs for this week in July in the Tri-Cities are about 94 degrees and normal lows are about 58.
Tri-Cities area cooling centers include the Mid-Columbia and Richland libraries; Columbia Center Mall in Kennewick; the Richland Community Center; the Tri-City Union Gospel Mission’s men’s and women’s shelters in Pasco; and Becky’s Coffee Corner and Renz Farmers Insurance Agency in Prosser.
Smoky air safety tips
The Benton Clean Air Agency said pollutants in smoke can cause eyes to burn and noses to run and can aggravate heart and lung disease.
Those most sensitive to air pollution include older adults, children and babies, pregnant women and those with chronic health conditions, including heart and respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.
But everyone should limit outdoor activities, according to the clean air agency.
It recommends closing windows in your home and using the “recirculation” switch on air conditioners. Use an indoor air filter, if available.
Face masks rated as N95 or N100 can also provide protection from smoky air.
