Smoke conditions have been worse in recent years

It's smoky alright but we've seen worse conditions locally in recent years according to Ranil Dhammapala with the Department of Ecology.

However, the smoky conditions have persisted statewide and affected more people than in years past

Dhammapala says the percentage of time air quality in Chelan County registered at unhealthy or worse conditions was higher in both 2012 and 2015.

Okanogan County experienced unhealthier air for more days in 2015 than this year, so far