Cedar Creek, Cub Creek Fires Bring Hazardous Air Quality to Okanogan County

The Cedar Creek and Cub Creek fires continue to burn large areas of land, but a major concern is also the poor air quality they've brought to the Methow Valley in Okanogan County.

Parts of the valley have the worst air quality in the state, with the town of Winthrop projected to be at the most severe level, "hazardous", over the next two days.

Stagnant air is leading to a buildup of smoke near the fires, which is forecast to bring "very unhealthy" to "hazardous" air to most of the valley.

Okanogan County Emergency Management Director Maurice Goodall says their offering high quality face coverings to help people protect themselves.

"We're asking people to wear masks," said Goodall. "We're providing KN95 and N95 masks that we have. We've been putting those out to the public and we're seeing more and more people wear them."

The two fires have also brought level three and two evacuation notices, which have affected at least 500 people in the valley.

There are two Level 1 teams, which are the largest groups assembled to battle wildfires, that are separately working the Cedar Creek and Cub Creek fires. More than a thousand people are currently working to contain the two fires.

Two homes have been lost to the Cub Creek Fire while two out buildings and one vehicle have been destroyed in the Cedar Creek Fire.

Goodall says part of the problem that the fire activity is unpredictable. "We don't know what it's going to do. All of a sudden it just lays down. And then two days later the things picks up again and starts another run."

The Cub Creek Fire originated on July 16th five north of Winthrop, It's cause is under investigation, although Goodall said it was man made. The Cedar Creek Fire was started by a lightning strike on July 11th.

At the Tuesday, The Cub Creek 2 Fire is estimated at 51,168 acres with 11% containment. The Cedar Creek Fire is estimated at 33,462 Acres and is 13% contained.