Visit our Popular Forums

reelfastgreg · 08-21-2015, 08:05 AM

we have also been forced to drive through forest fire smoke and haze. right now, much of central WA has hazardous air quality because of the smoke and particulate content in the air. best to avoid this all together.

winds last night and today, Friday, gusting to 45 mph which is not going to provide any relief for those on the fire lines. the burn outs are minimally effective because of these winds. N Cascades hwy is closed to travel, the towns of Winthrop and Twisp have been evacuated, whole towns, and now the town of Omak is wondering what to do next.

and of course, fires are also burning further E of those locations and into BC. we have definitely cancelled our travel plans for the swing through SE BC this September, bummer, but nature is now in control, not us. in fact, i don't know how we would even be able to get to a central WA border crossing right now to enter the province. its an ugly situation with many, many homes lost to these fires. my heart goes out to all of these people who have lost everything in these fires.

if you think you are going to travel through these areas, you had best start checking the various sources of uptodate information including WSDOT for road info. the situation is quite fluid and things are changing quite rapidly.

be careful out there, this is a very serious series of events that have no end in sight.

KJRitchie · 08-21-2015, 08:41 AM

Looks like all they can do is wait for the winter rains to put them out. My favorite NP, Glacier, has the Thompson fire going on right now, over 15k acres. What a shame for all the states and Canada this year.

Kelvin

Len n Jeanne · 08-21-2015, 02:37 PM

You folks in central & eastern Washington have it much worse than we do. Our local border crossing (Porthill, ID) is open. Thankfully, with cooler temps today and a too-brief rain shower, at least the air isn't so thick with smoke.

Stay safe!

**Janet H** · 08-21-2015, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

You folks in central & eastern Washington have it much worse than we do. Our local border crossing (Porthill, ID) is open. Thankfully, with cooler temps today and a too-brief rain shower, at least the air isn't so thick with smoke.

Stay safe!

Eastern WA is not a happy place this week if you need to breathe. Lots of smoke! Today there are high wind warnings as well; extra bad news on the fire lines.

Glenritas · 08-22-2015, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

I just downloaded a good iPhone app Wildland Fire Map. Works well.

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Thanks for the link it will come in handy in planing trips to avoid fire areas.

TG Twinkie · 08-22-2015, 10:59 AM

Need to stay on this thread as we are headed for BC next week. Hope things calm down.
It always seems to rain when we head north so maybe it will this time.

Sent from my iPod touch using Airstream Forums

cameront120 · 08-22-2015, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

It always seems to rain when we head north so maybe it will this time.

I hope your luck continues, we need the water!

reelfastgreg · 08-22-2015, 05:07 PM

Interactive map of wildfires in the U.S. | The Seattle Times

this might help you out as you are doing your planning. fires are everywhere and the air quality is deemed hazardous from Omak all the way down to Ellensburg. not sure how far east these warning are posted but worth checking out before you saddle up.

reelfastgreg · 08-23-2015, 07:09 AM

another source of info:

Coping with wildfire smoke and road closures in Wash., Oregon and B.C. | The Seattle Times

Len n Jeanne · 08-23-2015, 10:45 PM

Really helpful, GPT-- thanks! The article gives us some good contact information, as well as reminding us that local conditions can change rapidly, for better or for worse.

reelfastgreg · 08-24-2015, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

Really helpful, GPT-- thanks! The article gives us some good contact information, as well as reminding us that local conditions can change rapidly, for better or for worse.

you are welcome. having been through 3 forest fires a couple of years ago, i am not a big fan of pressing the envelope. the smoke and suspended particulates are not pleasant to deal with.

our caravan partner, like us, has decided to give SE BC a pass this coming September. there is just no way to argue with what is going on right now. these fires remain out of control and will continue until they run out of material to burn or, hopefully, the rains come along. but that will present another set of real issues, mud slides and more devastation. this is seriously a very bad situation and i feel sorry for all of the people who have lost everything they have to the flames.