Wildfire Smoke Brings Haze to Spokane, Air Quality Index at Moderate Level

Wildfire smoke from the Bear Gulch fire in Olympic National Park has wafted into the Spokane area, bringing a thin veil of haze and causing air quality concerns. According to Lisa Woodard, the communications manager for the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency, the air quality index in Spokane reached a moderate level of 85 as of 4:35 p.m. on Wednesday. Woodard explained that while some residual smoke may be coming from fires in British Columbia, the majority of the wildfire smoke is from the Olympic Peninsula. The Bear Gulch fire has burned approximately 7,400 acres and is only 3% contained.

Key Takeaways:

• The air quality index in Spokane reached a moderate level of 85 due to wildfire smoke from the Bear Gulch fire in Olympic National Park.
• The majority of the wildfire smoke is from the Olympic Peninsula, with some residual smoke coming from fires in British Columbia.
• The Bear Gulch fire has burned approximately 7,400 acres and is only 3% contained as of Wednesday morning.
• Historically, most significant smoke days occur from mid-August to mid-September due to hot and dry conditions.
• Only people who are unusually sensitive to wildfire smoke are likely to be affected if the air quality index remains under 100.
• The air quality index is expected to remain in the upper-moderate level for the rest of Wednesday night.

Statistics:

• Air quality index in Spokane: 85 (moderate level)
• Acres burned by the Bear Gulch fire: approximately 7,400
• Containment of the Bear Gulch fire: 3%
• Time period of significant smoke days: mid-August to mid-September
• Health impacts: moderate air quality is within health-based standards, but people with unusual sensitivity may still need to take precautions.

Sources:

• Lisa Woodard, communications manager, Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency
• The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) - August 13, 2025
• spokanecleanair.org
• smokereadyspokane.org
• Tribune Content Agency, LLC (distributed by)