A ridge of high pressure over north central Washington is expected to persist through the week, which means that very poor air quality will continue to plague Okanogan County. Due to smoke from wildfires, air quality throughout the county ranges from “unhealthy” to …
air quality
Air quality topic for Conservancy’s ‘First Tuesday’
“Smoke in the Air: A community conversation about air quality and health” is the topic for the Methow Conservancy’s “First Tuesday” program on Oct. 3. The free program, at the Methow Valley Community Center in Twisp, begins at 7 p.m. Dr. Raleigh Bowden and Elizabeth Gribble Walker, PhD, with the Methow Valley Clean Air Project, will […]
Smoky air sends local athletes indoors to catch a breath of fresh air
While the Methow Valley got a brief break over the weekend from the smoke, the clear conditions did not last. With the return of poor air quality, valley athletes and coaches wait and adapt, hoping for a more permanent reprieve.
“This is definitely a challenge for our teams,” said Liberty Bell Athletic …
Fetid air limits outdoor life
Early afternoon on a hot August day and Elise Putnam is sitting in the shade, passing time on her cell phone.
“We’ve actually had nobody today,” Putnam said of her wait for customers at Methow River Raft and Kayak. “Nobody wants to be outside right now. Everybody just wants to be inside.”
Officially the air was “Unhealthy” on its way to “Very Unhealthy” …
Unhealthy smoke is blanketing the valley
The Methow Valley had the unwelcome distinction of suffering the worst air quality of any spot in the state this past week when the state’s air overall was the worst in the nation. A potential southwest breeze could bring momentary relief this weekend.
“Unfortunately, you’re in a double-whammy situation in the Methow,” said …
Take care – Methow Valley has unhealthy air
The Methow Valley Clean Air Project is asking for help. The Methow Valley is experiencing unusually unhealthy air recently, according to a press release from the Clean Air Project. Twisp and Carlton have been consistently in the “unhealthy” range. Unhealthy air has the most impact on: • hearts and lungs, especially people with pre-existing lung […]
New sign postings are no idle mission
By Marcy Stamper The request is straightforward: “No Idling. Children Breathing.” Other signs provide a courteous nudge to shut off your car: “Please turn engine off.” To increase awareness about air pollution and related health risks, a group of concerned citizens has been posting signs at key locations around the valley with this simple request. […]
Burn ban called for Okanogan, Kittitas counties
Warm air and a shallow layer of fog in mountain valleys is trapping smoke and impairing air quality, prompting Stage 1 burn bans in Okanogan and Kittitas and counties that begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 9) and will extend until at least 10 a.m. Friday (Feb. 12), the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) announced. […]
News briefs: Dec. 30, 2015
Outdoor burn ban imposed in county A stage 1 burn ban was imposed Tuesday (Dec. 29) in Okanogan, Kittitas, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Asotin and Walla Walla counties, the state Department of Ecology (DOE) announced. The ban will continue through at least 10 a.m. on Monday (Jan. 4), DOE said. DOE said it […]
New project aims for cleaner winter air in Methow Valley
Health concerns about burning prompt local response By Marcy Stamper With fall moisture and cooler temperatures, most summer burn bans have been lifted. But cool weather can prompt other bans on burning to protect air quality and public health — and those bans often go unnoticed. A new program called the Methow Valley Clean Air Project is […]
