WASHINGTON — Wildfire smoke is drifting back into western Washington tonight and is expected to eventually spread into parts of northwestern Oregon, becoming more widespread Thursday and Friday and possibly lingering into the weekend. Most of the smoke should remain aloft, creating hazy skies, though some may mix down to the surface and slightly reduce air quality at times.

Thickest Smoke Concentration Centered Near Wenatchee and Ellensburg

Smoke modeling shows the highest concentration currently positioned over central Washington near Wenatchee and Ellensburg, shown in orange and red shading on the tracking map. This dense pocket represents the core of the smoke plume as it continues moving through the region.

Communities including Yakima and areas along the Interstate 90 corridor near Ellensburg sit closest to this concentrated smoke source, though the plume’s movement means impacts are expected to spread more broadly across the region over the coming days.

Smoke Expected to Spread Toward Seattle and Portland Metro Areas

Projected smoke movement, indicated by directional arrows on the map, shows the plume drifting southwest toward Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia, while additional plume trajectories point toward Portland and continue into northwestern Oregon communities including Salem, Corvallis, and Eugene.

This westward and southward spread means the hazy skies currently affecting central Washington are expected to become increasingly noticeable across the more densely populated western Washington and northwestern Oregon corridor as Thursday and Friday progress.

Air Quality Impacts Expected to Remain Limited Compared to Last Week

While some smoke may mix down to the surface and slightly reduce air quality at times, this event is not expected to be as significant as last week’s smoke event. Most of the smoke should remain aloft, meaning visible haze is more likely than substantial ground-level air quality degradation for most areas.

This distinction offers some reassurance for residents who experienced more pronounced impacts during the previous smoke episode, though sensitive groups may still want to monitor conditions as the smoke spreads west.

Hazy Conditions Possible Into the Weekend Across the Region

Forecasters indicate the smoke could possibly linger into the weekend, meaning hazy skies may persist across western Washington and northwestern Oregon beyond the initial Thursday and Friday spread. The exact duration will depend on how weather patterns evolve through the coming days.

Residents throughout western Washington and northwestern Oregon, including Seattle, Portland, and Eugene, are encouraged to monitor local air quality reports as the smoke continues drifting into the region through the end of the week.