Health official addresses symptoms from wildfire smoke, COVID-19

The wildfire smoke is causing symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It’s similar to some of the symptoms people feel when they are sick with COVID-19.

Sumner Grade Fire largely contained, several Washington wildfires persist

Wildfire smoke blankets the West Coast as many firefighter crews continue to work on local fires in eastern and western Washington this weekend. 

Air Quality Alert through Thursday, relief possible through the weekend

An Air Quality Alert is now in effect until noon Thursday. More rain and strong marine push by the end of the workweek and into the weekend should help clean the air and clear out the smoky haze, fingers crossed!

Kids, pets more at risk with smoke exposure

Even a little smoke exposure can be damaging for kids and pets as air quality in the Pacific Northwest stays at very unhealthy levels, according to doctors in both fields.

Outdoor workers can't avoid smoke, unhealthy air

The air quality in the Pacific Northwest is some of the worst in the world right now.

Battle against Oregon wildfires fought with limited air support after 6 Chinooks sent to Afghanistan

The new Chinook helicopters – equipped with 2,000-gallon water buckets and used to fight crippling forest infernos – were sent to Afghanistan in May as part of the potential drawdown mission.

Fires raise fight over climate change before Trump's visit

The governors have been blunt: Gov. Jay Inslee on Sunday called climate change “a blowtorch over our states in the West.”

Large wildfire growing in Southwestern Washington
video

Crews are battling the Big Hollow fire in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Skamania County.

Weak weather system will only bring slight relief from smoky air

Hazardous and very unhealthy air continues for much of the Pacific NW. Several weak weather systems this week will start to make a dent in our smoke, but it could take a little while.

Unhealthy air quality continues as southerly winds bring more smoke

The air clearing that was expected this morning didn't materialize, and now, light southerly winds are bringing even more smoke from Oregon through Tuesday.

Another day of unhealthy air quality
video

Seattle has extended its closure of parks, beaches and boat ramps due to thick wildfire smoke causing unhealthy air.

Wildfire smoke lingers, impacting local businesses and forces many to close

The smoke and haze from surrounding wildfires continue to leave an unhealthy haze across Western Washington, which is impacting businesses.

Smoke chokes West Coast as wildfire deaths keep climbing

Wildfire smoke that posed a health hazard to millions choked the West Coast on Saturday as firefighters battled deadly blazes that obliterated some towns and displaced tens of thousands of people, the latest in a series of calamities this year.