Wildfire smoke to reach Whatcom County – expected to stay in the upper atmosphere

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — While air monitoring stations in Maple Falls, Lynden/Custer and Bellingham were reporting air quality within the GOOD range this morning, August 31st, forecasters are warning of a potential for wildfire smoke to move into Whatcom County later this week.

Air quality is forecast to be Moderate and Good on Wednesday with conditions improving Thursday in Island, Skagit, & Whatcom counties. Air quality is expected to deteriorate slightly Wednesday as smoke from fires east of the Cascades enters the area. Thursday, winds will become more westerly and should help clear out lingering smoke. Skies may appear very hazy at times due to large amounts of smoke in the upper atmosphere from fires burning across the Pacific Northwest. Most of this smoke will remain well above the surface level and should not impact air quality. Northwest Clean Air Agency (August 31, 2022)

Air quality reported by the Maple Falls monitoring station dipped into the MODERATE range yesterday for a few hours but returned to GOOD overnight. Bellingham and Lynden/Custer monitoring stations reported air quality in the GOOD range during the same period.