Central Wash. wildfires send smoke toward east side, Northern Idaho

From staff reports

Environmental agencies have issued an air quality alert as smoke from the Central Washington wildfires is expected to drift far across the east side of the state and into Northern Idaho over the next few days.

The fire near Leavenworth – where nearly 900 homes were evacuated Wednesday – and those near Omak and Wenatchee have created unhealthy air conditions in some surrounding areas, according to the Washington Department of Ecology.

The department has advised that air quality in those areas will continue to degrade, and air quality farther away from the fires will range from “good” to “unhealthy” during the weekend.

Eastern Washington residents are urged to limit activities and keep children indoors when smoke is present.

The Department of Ecology issued the alert in conjunction with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality in Lewiston and the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency.