cascades

National Weather Service Meteorologist Steve Bodnar says it'll mostly fall in eastern Washington instead of Wenatchee.

There are a number of fires contributing to the smoky air.

And then there are really small towns. Like Skykomish, here in the state of Washington. The tiny town has a total area of 0.33 square miles. Its current population is about 160 people. The population peaked in the 1930’s when the census count was 562. You can almost fit the whole population into the town’s favorite local pub called, Whistling Post Saloon. Where when the train cruises by and blows the whistle…they serve up free shots.

Risks to the population include declining snowpack due to climate change, competing with coyotes for food, and contracting diseases from domestic dogs.

The watch covers the east slopes of the Cascades and the mountainous areas across the Okanogan Highlands.

There may be multiple rounds of thunderstorms and rainfall near the Cascades starting Monday afternoon.

The alerts are in place from 11am Monday through 11pm Friday, with highs reaching 110 by Thursday.

The Northwest Avalanche Center has issued an avalanche warning for Stevens Pass and is also saying the danger level for avalanches on the east slopes of the Cascades is high. Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Public Affairs Officer Robin DeMario says travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended...

Starting in April, fire managers from Naches to the Okanogan Highlands will be returning fire to dry, fire adapted landscapes along the east slope of the Cascades. Excluded from the ecosystem for nearly 100 years, frequent, low-intensity fire is essential for healthy forests and better protected communities ...