Wildfire Smoke Impacts Air Quality Across Pacific Northwest

The Natural Resources Conservation Service produces this weekly report using data and products from the National Water and Climate Center and other agencies. The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S.

October temperature records have been broken across the Pacific Northwest over the last week. Late-summer heat and lack of precipitation have helped produce conditions for several wildfires across the region. According to the National Interagency Fire Center there are currently over 60 large wildfires burning across the Pacific Northwest, including the Nakia Creek fire in Washington State which forced the evacuation of thousands of residents. The collective smoke from these wildfires has blanketed the region for several days, degrading the air quality for millions of U.S. and Canadian residents. Air quality conditions over the period have ranged from Moderate to Very Unhealthy according to the U.S. Air Quality Index, with Seattle, WA claiming the worst air quality worldwide as of 5:00 PM on October 19.  Open report>>