The Washington State Department of Ecology, Benton Clean Air Agency, and the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency have issued an Air Quality Alert until further notice.

For the Smoke Air Quality Alert, 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 from the Washington Department of Ecology web site is available at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/air.html or call 360-407-6000. Information from the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency web site is available at http://www.yakimacleanair.org or call 509-834-2050. Information from the Benton County Clean Air Agency web site is available at http://www.bentoncleanair.org or call 509-783-1304. close

...BREEZY WESTERLY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY THROUGH THE CASCADE GAPS AND INTO THE COLUMBIA BASIN...

.Breezy westerly winds through the Cascade gaps will likely (80% chance) overlap with low relative humidity and generate Red Flag conditions Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon. Poor to fair overnight RH recovery is anticipated Friday night.

The National Weather Service in Pendleton has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 11 AM Friday to 11 PM PDT Saturday.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 691 Lower Columbia Basin of Washington.

* TIMING...From 11 AM Friday to 11 PM PDT Saturday.

* WINDS...West 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 20 to 30 mph, strongest on Saturday.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent, lowest Friday.

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. close

The Washington State Department of Ecology, Benton Clean Air Agency, and the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency have issued an Air Quality Alert until further notice.

For the Smoke Air Quality Alert, 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 from the Washington Department of Ecology web site is available at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/air.html or call 360-407-6000. Information from the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency web site is available at http://www.yakimacleanair.org or call 509-834-2050. Information from the Benton County Clean Air Agency web site is available at http://www.bentoncleanair.org or call 509-783-1304. close

The Washington State Department of Ecology, Benton Clean Air Agency, and the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency have issued an Air Quality Alert until further notice.

For the Smoke Air Quality Alert, wildfires burning in the region combined with forecasted conditions may 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 from the Washington Department of Ecology web site is available at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/air.html or call 360-407-6000. Information from the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency web site is available at http://www.yakimacleanair.org or call 509-834-2050. Information from the Benton County Clean Air Agency web site is available at http://www.bentoncleanair.org or call 509-783-1304. close