Wildfire smoke blankets Whatcom, air quality plummets. How long will it last?

Air quality remained in the unhealthy range across Whatcom County on Wednesday, Oct. 19, as winds funneled smoke from wildfires into the Puget Sound region and a burn ban was issued.

Typical autumn fog and morning mist was contributing to hazy skies early Wednesday, with visibility of less than a mile at Bellingham International Airport at 9 a.m.

By 3 p.m. Wednesday, sensors were showing that the air in some areas of Whatcom County, including Bellingham and around Kendall, was in the very unhealthy range.

Smoky skies likely will hang around until a storm system arrives late Thursday, Oct. 20, because winds are blowing from the north and east, the National Weather Service said in its Seattle-area forecast.

“High pressure aloft will continue over the area today with light low-level offshore flow,” meteorologist Kayla Mazurkiewicz said in the online forecast discussion.

“This will bring another warm day today with plenty of sunshine after areas of morning low clouds and fog burn off. The sunshine will be hazy, however, especially from Puget Sound eastward as smoke lingers. There will be reduced air quality from the lingering smoke,” Mazurkiewicz said.

An alert quality alert was issued through 5 p.m. Thursday for Northwest Washington, including Whatcom County.

As smoke swept across Whatcom County unexpectedly quickly on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 18, officials at the Northwest Clean Air Agency urged caution.

“We’re seeing more smoke coming in than we expected,” said agency spokesman Seth Preston.

“Stay inside if you can, and keep the doors and windows closed. If you still have masks left over from COVID, wear them,” Preston told The Bellingham Herald.

The agency issued a “stage 2” air quality burn ban for Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties, Preston said.

Outdoor burning, including agricultural burning and recreational fires such as campfires and fire pits, is prohibited.

This air quality burn ban is in addition to fire safety burn bans already in effect because of increased fire danger in those three counties.

Use of wood stoves for home heating is also prohibited unless it is the only source of heat.

Bellingham Public Schools moved sports practice indoors or canceled them on Wednesday for high school and middle school students, according to the district website.

Those changes would continue as long as air quality remains poor, the district said on its website.

“If air quality remains in the ‘unhealthy’ level, we will keep students indoors and provide accommodations to students who may need them. This includes altering activities so they are less strenuous, making changes to recess and lunchtime routines, and moving classes like physical education indoors,” the district said.

Bellingham officials took steps to protect city staff from the smoke, spokeswoman Janice Keller told The Herald.

“The city follows state requirements, which detail employers’ responsibilities during periods of poor air quality, as well as city procedures, when dealing with smoke events,” Keller said in an email.

Field staff switched to indoor work when possible on Tuesday and Wednesday, and were wearing appropriate protective safety gear outdoors.

“We have also canceled most city public programs held outside, such as activities at Civic Field and Joe Martin Stadium,” she said.

Wildfire smoke can cause serious health problems, WA officials urge using N-95 masks