Extremely Unhealthy to Hazardous Air in Yakima Authorities Say.

The entire West Coast is dealing with excessive smoke and haze as the result of widespread wildfire activity. Here in the Yakima Valley, we're experiencing terrible air quality and authorities say it's not going to get better for the next few days. In fact, they say, it's going to get worse.

From the National Weather Service comes this very important Air Quality Alert:

Air Quality Alert

WAC005-013-021-037-039-071-077-122300-
Benton-Columbia-Franklin-Kittitas-Klickitat-Walla Walla-Yakima-
Including the cities of Kennewick, Richland, Benton City, Prosser,
Hanford, Dayton, Starbuck, Pasco, Connell, Ellensburg, Cle Elum,
Easton, Goldendale, White Salmon, Trout Lake, Bickleton, Roosevelt,
College Place, Walla Walla, Burbank, Waitsburg, Prescott, Grandview,
Sunnyside, Toppenish, Yakima, Granger, Mabton, Selah, Wapato,
White Swan, Zillah, Naches, and Cliffdell
553 AM PDT Sat Sep 12 2020

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM PDT MONDAY...

The Washington State Department of Ecology has issued an Air Quality
Alert...in effect until 11 AM PDT Monday.

A Smoke Air Quality Alert has been issued. Wildfires burning in the
region combined with forecasted conditions will cause air quality to
reach unhealthy levels.

Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes...runny nose...aggravate
heart and lung diseases...and aggravate other serious health
problems.  Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it
is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung
condition.

Information about air quality is on the Washington Department of
Ecology Web site at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/air.html or call 360-407-
6000.

Stay up--to-date with their forcasting by checking back often here: NOAA YAKIMA

As of Saturday afternoon, The air quality in Yakima was EXTREMELY UNHEALTHY.

By tomorrow, air quality is expected to be HAZARDOUS which is the worst level. Very important to be aware of and follow guidelines for anyone who has respiratory or other health issues. Find out more by checking here frequently: AIR QUAILY CLICK HERE.

Please be careful and stay safe. Return to this post and click the links we've provided for updated information.