Air quality moderate in Spokane, Coeur d’Alene

Air quality was moderate in Spokane this morning, but the National Weather Service is maintaining its air quality alert for the Columbia Basin and much of Eastern Washington. The Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency listed air quality as 83 on the air quality index as of 9 a.m. Unhealthful air for sensitive groups begins at a reading of 100. Coeur d’Alene had a reading of 51, just two points above the good range. Very unhealthful air was reported east of Lewiston, and the Department of Environmental Quality in Idaho has issued an air quality alert for the area. A stage-1 burning ban remains in effect. It prohibits outdoor burning and use of non-certified stoves and fireplaces. Charcoal and gas grills are still allowed. Outdoor burning is banned in North Idaho, and residents are asked to curtail indoor burning. The weather service said that a weak northerly flow today will help move smoke to the south. Much of Sunday’s smoky haze had come from fires in central Idaho. A series of very weak Pacific systems could increase winds and help disperse wildfire smoke. Air quality remained extremely polluted in the Wenatchee area and along the east slopes of the Cascades today. Today’s high should reach 77 in Spokane with highs later in the week staying in the middle 70s. Lows at night should be in the upper 40s, continuing a warm ending to this year’s growing season.