SMOKE: Yes, it’s back

12:59 PM: Some have wondered if that’s really wildfire smoke, again, turning things hazy. Short answer: Yes. Longer answer: The Maple Fire on the Olympic Peninsula is largely to blame, along with ongoing British Columbia wildfires. And, says the Washington Smoke Information website, “This intermittent smoke we are experiencing should be expected through the weekend.” But it’s not expected to become anything resembling what blanketed us earlier this week, and we are not currently under an air-quality alert.

5:35 PM: As a commenter points out, things worsened in the past few hours since we published this. “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” is the predominant current rating.

10:10 PM: Added, smoky sunset photo by James Bratsanos.

9 Replies to "SMOKE: Yes, it's back"

  • Smell August 24, 2018 (5:31 pm)

    But it is back up to unhealthy for all. Sigh.https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/

    • WSB August 24, 2018 (5:34 pm)

      Has definitely worsened since I published this. Adding an update.

  • Ari Yoder August 24, 2018 (6:07 pm)

    “Back” or “black?”

    • WSB August 24, 2018 (6:31 pm)

      “Murky,” mostly. But if you look up right now, still some blue sky overhead … between the clouds.

  • Steven Henry August 24, 2018 (9:48 pm)

    So much for a weekend reprieve from smoke. If anything, this latest round SMELLS smokier than the smoke on Tuesday and Wednesday. The density this evening appears to be on par with earlier this week as well, at least from my vantage point in Fairmont Park. The Sound and peninsula have pretty much disappeared again. 

  • Jeannie August 25, 2018 (12:26 am)

    And keep in mind that our “president” has relaxed coal emission standards. Thanks, tRump.

    • A August 25, 2018 (8:08 am)

      This has nothing to do with coal and everything to do with wildfires. You don’t like Trump, I get it. I don’t like him either, but we can’t blame him for our air quality being bad because of a natural occurrence such as a wildfire. Also, coal emissions and emissions from cars are way less of a threat to our air quality than wildfires are. If we want clean air we need to stop worrying so much about coal and focus that energy on preventing these massive fires

  • TJ August 25, 2018 (7:47 am)

    This smoke has absolutely nothing to do with coal. But hey, anything to help the narrative, right?

  • Rick August 25, 2018 (9:44 am)

    Once again,a lot of the current day issues go back to forest management/mismanagement  practices from the previous CENTURIES. I guess you can pin that on President Trump’s ancestors. At least folks quit blaming GW for everything. That was getting old.  Beiber in 2024!!!

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