Here in East Wenatchee the smoke has been relentless. There are several local and regional wildfires. The Little Giant Fire just northwest of Leavenworth seems to be having the greatest impact.

The AQI was over 850 the other day when I returned to Wenatchee from Cashmere. Link Transit shut down all public transit and they’re threatening to do it again today.

A member of our writers group is a retired doctor and he passed out masks at our meeting yesterday. Being outside for one hour is akin to smoking six cigarettes. He has advised that the real damage to our lungs may not be seen for another ten years if we continue to go outside unmasked when the AQI is so high.

I miss the view of the mountains. The air is too thick with smoke.

My heart goes out to the more than 65,000 who have been evacuated from the Spokane area.

Highways are closed and activities are canceled.

Washington State is on fire.