While there is a high risk of wildfires throughout Oregon, the central, southwest and northeast parts of the state are typically worst affected.
Active wildfires in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia.
| Acres | to | Square Miles |
|---|---|---|
| City of Seattle | = | 83.78 sq. mi. |
| Mount Rainier National Park | = | 369.3 sq. mi. |
Does Seattle get forest fires?
A wildfire is still unlikely in Seattle because the city is far from any wildland areas but could threaten some city infrastructure located in wildland areas. Seattle regularly gets brush fires along roadways, such as I-5, that can threaten adjacent homes.
How close are the wildfires to Seattle Washington?
120 miles
A series of major wildfires have been burning across thousands of acres of Washington state, over 120 miles (190km) east of Seattle. The hot summer has also brought wildfires to parts of California and Alaska. Tim Allman reports.
Are California fires affecting Seattle?
Smoke from Oregon and California wildfires reaches Seattle; rain expected later this week | The Seattle Times.
Does Seattle get smoke?
Tacoma’s Pierce County now averages 30 days of smoke each year; Seattle’s King County averages 31 days of smoke each year. Both are up by more than half from less than a decade ago. Eight counties in eastern Washington average at least 50 days under smoky skies annually.
Are wildfires a problem in Washington state?
“While the number of wildfires in Washington state has stayed roughly the same over time, since the turn of the century or so the number of acres burned has definitely gone up.” But, there are better and worse summers; 2019 was rather cloudy, while 2020 included an apocalyptic week following Labor Day.
Do wildfires happen in Washington state?
On DNR land — 5.6 million of the state’s 45.6 million acres — 95 fires have burned 86 acres so far this year as of June 24, compared to 549 fires burning 1,584 acres over the same period last year.
When was the last wildfire in Washington state?
Washington wildfires ordered by size
| Year | Fire Name | Size (acres) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Cold Springs Canyon/Pearl Hill Fires | Over 410,000 |
| 2015 | Okanogan Complex | 304,782 |
| 2016 | Hart Fire | 18,220 |
| 1902 | Yacolt Burn | 238,900 |
Why is it smoky in Washington?
Main sources of outdoor smoke in Washington: Wildfires. Wood stoves, pellet stoves, and fireplaces. Agricultural burning.
Where do wildfires occur?
More wildfires occur in the East (including the central states), but the wildfires in the West are larger and burn more acreage (including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming).
What is the air quality like in Seattle today?
Seattle air quality index (AQI) forecast
| Day | Pollution level | Wind |
|---|---|---|
| Today | Good 49 US AQI | 4.5 mp/h |
| Tuesday, Aug 9 | Good 39 US AQI | 8.9 mp/h |
| Wednesday, Aug 10 | Good 27 US AQI | 6.7 mp/h |
| Thursday, Aug 11 | Good 35 US AQI | 6.7 mp/h |
Why is Seattle so smoky?
The smoke comes from wildfires in British Columbia, Canada, according to the Washington Smoke Information blog. Smoke from the California fires are expected to drag up smoke from the southern region. The poor air quality joins forces with heat.
Will Seattle have smoke this summer?
2022 Smoke Ready Week is June 13-17th
Even though we’re seeing a lot of rain this year, summer is quickly approaching and now is the ideal time to prepare for wildfire smoke season.
Where is smoke in Seattle coming from?
SEATTLE — On Thursday, air quality across Washington was cause for concern as wildfire smoke filled the skies. A lot of the smoke drifting into the state and the Puget Sound region came from British Columbia.
Why is it so foggy in Washington state?
Because warm air is less dense than cold air, the layers of fog “invert” below the moisture-free warm air layer and stay trapped at ground level until the temperature between layers evens out. Which brings us to seasonal fog: Crisp, calm, cool fall air enhances fog conditions, Bond says.
Why does smoke follow me?
Campfire smoke follows you because the hot air rises above the fire, drawing cooler air towards it. However, your body blocks the cool air from accessing the fire. This lowers air pressure near you, and the smoke drifts towards that low pressure, and you.
Does Washington have lots of fires?
For the entire wildfire season of 2020, which also saw significantly more wildfires than the 10-year average, roughly 273,000 acres burned across Washington. The number of fire ignitions across Washington is approximately double the 10-year average.
Does Western Washington get wildfires?
Western Washington doesn’t always get strong east winds, but when the winds do arrive, they can lead to huge wildfires. SEATTLE — Strong wildfire-driving winds from the drier eastern half of Washington state have been compared to the Santa Ana winds of southern California.
Why are there so many fires in Washington?
The risk and extent of wildfires in the western United States is growing because of climate change. Climate change causes forest fuels (the trees and plants that burn and spread wildfire) to be drier and more easily ignited, leading to a doubling in the number of large fires between 1984 and 2015 in the Western U.S.
What months are worst for wildfires?
June through August tends to be the high point of wildfire season in most years nationally. The only recent year in which the peak month didn’t fall within that window was 2011, when a host of wildfires in Texas caused Governor Rick Perry to declare 252 counties as disaster areas.
Where do wildfires occur in Washington state?
On August 19, Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency for all of Washington, with fires burning on the Olympic Peninsula and in Eastern Washington. Among the active fires was the 24,000-acre (9,700 ha) Taylor Pond Fire near Yakima.