Air Quality “VERY UNHEALTHY” in Wenatchee

UPDATE 3:30PM

Air quality is registering at very unhealthy levels as of this afternoon on the Department of Ecology Air Quality monitoring station at Wenatchee Valley College   CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE LATEST CONDITIONS

The situation has forced a postponement of AppleSox games at the college for a second consecutive night.  Wenatchee will try to get in the first two cancelled games versus Corvallis Thursday in a double header at Parker Field in Yakima starting at 11 a.m. If the third game in the series is needed to determine the West Coast League Playoff picture, Wenatchee will host Corvallis on Monday at 7:05 p.m.

The early afternoon arrival and departures at Pangborn Airport were running about an hour behind schedule.   The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a notice Tuesday alerting people to possible flight delays at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport because of low visibility attributed to wildfire smoke.

An Air Quality Alert is posted through Saturday in North Central Washington because of smoky conditions from wildfires in British Columbia, Okanogan County and Montana .

UPDATE 11:40AM

An Air Quality Alert is posted through Saturday in North Central Washington because of smoky conditions.  As of 10am this morning, air quality remains unhealthful in Wenatchee and very unhealthy in Okanogan. Here is a link to Dept. of Ecology Air Quality readings

To help you get through the smoky conditions, Chelan County Emergency Management is handing out masks. They are currently available weekdays from 8 to 5 at Cashmere City Hall, Leavenworth Fire Department on Chumstick, and the fire station on Fifth and Western in Wenatchee.

Chelan-Douglas Health District is also distributing masks at 200 Valley Mall Parkway, East Wenatchee.

The Chelan-Douglas Health District advises anyone with lung or heart disease or who is chronically ill to check with their health care provider before using any mask. Respirator masks can make it harder to breathe, which may make existing medical conditions worse.

During poor air quality conditions, respirator masks, labeled N-95 or N-100, can provide some protection.  Choose a mask that has two straps that go around your head. The health district cautions against the use of one‐strap paper dust mask or a surgical mask that hooks around your ears – these don’t protect against the fine particles in smoke.

Here is more information on the proper use of masks  during poor air quality

UPDATE 10am

Due to poor air quality in Wenatchee, Wednesday's AppleSox youth camp has been cancelled,  according to team owner Jim Corcoran.  A decision on tonight's games vs. Corvallis will be made by 2pm.  The smoky conditions postponed Tuesday's game which was rescheduled as a doubleheader tonight with the first game at 5:05pm.

An Air Quality Alert is posted through Saturday in North Central Washington because of smoky conditions.  As of 10am this morning, air quality remains unhealthful in Wenatchee and very unhealthy in Okanogan. Here is a link to Dept. of Ecology Air Quality readings

An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies:

Washington Department of Ecology in Spokane
Washington Department of Ecology in Yakima
Colville Confederated Tribes
Spokane Tribe
Kalispel Indian Community
Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency

Smoke from wildfires in eastern Washington, British Columbia, and Montana is expected to affect central and eastern Washington as north or northeast winds push smoke around Washington state this
week. Air quality will vary between good and unhealthy depending on wind direction and time of day.

Children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory illnesses are most at risk of serious health effects. If you experience respiratory distress, you should speak with your physician.

Air quality will be a concern through Saturday in the communities of Wenatchee, Chelan, Omak, Twisp, Winthrop, Republic, Colville, Spokane, Pullman, Ritzville, Moses Lake, Ephrata, Pomeroy, and Clarkston.

Washington Counties listed in the Air Quality Alert Include:

Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan counties plus Adams, Asotin,Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille,  Spokane, Stevens and Whitman counties

The Washington Department of Ecology has issued an Air Quality Alert until noon Saturday.