Several counties could experience some smoke impacts as soon as Thursday

According to the Northwest Clean Air Agency, it is possible that Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties could experience some smoke impacts beginning early Thursday and “lingering through Friday (and possibly longer).”

The highest concentrations of smoke will “likely” happen Thursday.

Smoke from fires in southern British Columbia, Canada could bring the smoke into the region, the agency said.

“We expect that the more northeasterly monitors in our area (Custer, Columbia Valley in Whatcom County) will experience the greatest impacts (unhealthy for sensitive groups) due to their closer proximity to the fires and more northerly winds.”

After Thursday, the winds in our region will move more southwesterly and might help “dilute the lower atmosphere with cleaner marine air,” thereby giving us mostly moderate conditions. However, the Custer and Columbia Valley monitors could experience unhealthy conditions for those in sensitive groups, at least for several hours or more.

The agency said conditions are expected to have improved for Friday, slightly to mostly moderate for all areas, but there is no certainty thereafter.

To get updates as conditions develop, click here for the NWCAA’s monitors. To see wildfire smoke information and tips and resources on how to protect yourself during smoke events, click here.

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