Wilderness fire likely source of smoky skies

Update at 1:30 p.m.

The smoky skies are causing air quality issues in northern Washington. The Department of Ecology has declared the air quality unhealthy in Winthrop, Twisp, Okanogan, Omak, and Moses Lake.

It is listed as moderate in Wenatchee's 5th Street monitoring station. The air quality reading is still good at the Malaga-Alcoa Highway monitoring station, Chelan , and Leavenworth.

Update at 10:30 a.m.

The smoky conditions in Wenatchee are likely caused by the fire in the Pasayten Wilderness near Mazama.  Johnathan Nash with Central Washington Interagency Communications Center (CWICC) says Diamond Creek fire is now at 67-hundred acres with 11% containment.

There have been numerous fires burning in British Columbia for several weeks and a two acre fire along Blewett Pass that may also have contributed some smoke to the valley.

Here is the link to Air Quality readings from the Department of Ecology

Original Story posted at 6:30 a.m.

The two acre fire near the Red Top Peak lookout area has not grown overnight according to Nash.  Department of Natural Resources and Forest Service crews are on the fire that is burning about 5 miles from the highway near the Chelan- Kittitas County border.   Nash says the only structure threatened is a fire lookout tower.

The fire was first reported about 2:45 Monday afternoon.