NATIONAL NEWS

Wildfire smoke chokes parts of Canada and western U.S., with some areas under air quality alerts

Jul 24, 2024, 3:17 PM | Updated: 6:34 pm

In this photo provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Durkee Fire lights up the sk...

In this photo provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Durkee Fire lights up the sky in eastern Ore., Monday, July 22, 2024. (Oregon Department of Transportation via AP)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(Oregon Department of Transportation via AP)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fires burning in California, Oregon, Arizona, Washington and other western states, as well as Canada, have filled the skies in regions of the western U.S. with smoke and haze, forcing some affected areas to declare air quality alerts or advisories.

As of Wednesday morning, there were 79 large active wildfires across the country being managed that have burned 1,431,460 acres (579,292 hectares), according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Evacuation orders are in effect for 15 fires in the Northwest, where fires continue to show active to extreme behavior. Communities near several fires in California, the Northern Rockies and the Great Basin are also under evacuation orders.

Where are the big fires?

Oregon has 31 large active fires that have burned 791,653 acres (320,371 hectares). The Durkee Fire, the largest active blaze in the U.S., was burning near the Oregon-Idaho border and was 0% contained as of Wednesday morning and had burned nearly 400 square miles (1,036 square kilometers). The Cow Valley, Falls and Lone Rock fires, the next largest, have collectively seared some 404,404 acres (163,657 hectares).

There are 12 active large wildfires in both California and Arizona. In the Golden State, the Lake Fire in Santa Barbara has scorched 38,664 acres (15,647 hectares) and was 90% contained; the 2024 SQF Lightning Complex in Tulare has burned 31,309 acres (12,670 hectares) and was 7% contained; and the Shelly Fire in Siskiyou County that’s charred 15,656 acres (6,336 hectares) was 62% contained. Hot, dry and windy conditions have increase fire activity in some areas, including the Hill Fire in northern California.

The Black Fire east of Phoenix is the largest in Arizona, followed by the Romero Fire west of Dudleyville.

The Pioneer Fire in Washington is the largest in the state at 30,667 acres (12,410.5 hectares). In Montana, the Deadman Fire in Rosebud County grew to 19,982 acres (8,086 hectares) and was 95% contained.

In Canada, there are about 430 active wildfires in British Columbia and 170 in neighboring Alberta, including two that led to the evacuation of up to 25,000 visitors and residents of Canadian Rockies’ largest national park.

Fuels and fire behavior advisories were in effect for California, Nevada, Southeast and Central Oregon, Southern Idaho and the Utah and Arizona Strip.

What areas are under air quality alerts?

Unhealthy air pollution from wildfires have triggered air quality alerts and advisories in regions of the western U.S.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued air quality alerts for the eastern counties of Harney, Malheur, Grant, Baker and Morrow until further notice. Unhealthy air was reported in cities of Bend and La Pine today and forecaster for tomorrow, with smoke expected to continue degrading air quality in La Pine after Thursday. Smoke from the Durkee Fire was choking the air in Boise, Idaho and beyond. An air quality warning was in effect for the entire region on Wednesday.

In Idaho, air quality advisories were sent out to the central counties of Ada, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette and Washington.

In north central Washington, the Colville Reservation, all of Chelan County, plus the Methow Valley down to Brewster in Okanogan County were under air quality alerts until further notice.

And in Canada, authorities issued an air quality advisory for Calgary, Alberta due to the wildfire smoke. The government agency called it high risk and said children and the elderly should avoid outdoor physical exertion.

How do I stay safe from wildfire smoke?

Wildfire smoke can cause unhealthy air quality in areas many miles away from fires. To stay safe, the South Coast Air Quality Management District recommends people start by learning about air quality conditions and forecasts in their area.

Those with an air conditioning system should change filters often, with high-efficiency filters labeled “MERV13” or higher being the most effective at removing smoke particles. Portable HEPA air purifiers also help.

To limit exposure to unhealthy air quality, people should stay indoors with windows and doors closed. Avoid heavy exertion outdoors, using fans or swamp coolers that take air from outside, all wood-burning appliances, and lighting candles and incense.

If you need to be outside in smoky conditions, a respirator mask such as an N-95 or P-100 can offer some protection.

Lastly, know your risks. Some people, such as children and those with heart or lung issues, can be more sensitive to moderate to unhealthy air quality.

How do I safely clean after a wildfire?

When cleaning ash after a wildfire, wear goggles and a snug a respirator mask such as an N-95 or P-100. Avoid skin contact with ash by wearing gloves, closed-toe shoes, socks and long pants and shirts.

Wash ash from pets and outdoor belonging like cars and toys. Mist floors with water and gently sweep or mop, then collect ash in plastic bags and throw it out. Don’t use leaf blowers. Keep water with ash away from storm drains. And clean inside with a vacuum that has disposable filter bags.

———

AP writer Rob Gillies contributed from Toronto.


National News

Associated Press

Democrat George Whitesides wins election to US House, beating incumbent Mike Garcia

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Democrat George Whitesides, a former NASA chief of staff who had the support of national Democrats, has won a tough race to unseat Republican incumbent Rep. Mike Garcia in California’s 27 Congressional District. The Associated Press called the race for Whitesides on Tuesday evening. The previous day Garcia conceded, saying he […]

15 minutes ago

FILE - Arizona Rep. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, left, and his attorney Timothy La Sota appear virt...

Associated Press

Judge recuses himself in Arizona fake elector case after urging response to attacks on Kamala Harris

PHOENIX (AP) — A judge recused himself Tuesday from presiding over Arizona’s fake electors case after an email surfaced in which he told fellow judges to speak out against attacks on Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign for the presidency. In the Aug. 29 email, Maricopa County Judge Bruce Cohen lamented that he didn’t speak […]

29 minutes ago

Photo: Pete Hegseth walks to an elevator for a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Trump T...

KTTH Staff with Wire Reports

Trump builds out foreign policy team with Pete Hegseth for Pentagon

President-elect Donald Trump moved to build out his foreign policy team Tuesday, announcing he is nominating Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth to serve as his defense secretary.

47 minutes ago

Associated Press

AP Race Call: Democrat George Whitesides wins election to U.S. House in California’s 27th Congressional District, beating incumbent Mike Garcia

Democrat George Whitesides won election to a U.S. House seat representing California on Tuesday, defeating Republican Rep. Mike Garcia. Democrats have long sought to flip this Los Angeles County district, which Democrat Joe Biden comfortably carried in 2020. The party briefly won it in the 2018 midterms but lost it when Garcia won the seat […]

48 minutes ago

Associated Press

AP Race Call: Republican Dan Newhouse wins reelection to U.S. House in Washington’s 4th Congressional District

Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Washington on Tuesday. Newhouse, who has held the seat since 2015, defeated Donald Trump-endorsed Republican Jerrod Sessler, a Navy veteran and former NASCAR driver. Newhouse was one of 10 House Republicans to vote to impeach Trump over the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at […]

1 hour ago

FILE - Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, testifies before a hearing April 18...

Associated Press

What to know about John Ratcliffe, Trump’s pick for CIA director

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he would appoint John Ratcliffe to serve as CIA director in his new administration. Here are five things to know about the Republican tapped to lead the U.S. government’s premier spy agency: Stint No. 2 in the Trump administration Ratcliffe served as director of national intelligence […]

1 hour ago

Wildfire smoke chokes parts of Canada and western U.S., with some areas under air quality alerts