Yes, that’s right. Last evening on the CBS Evening News, there was a story on the Pacific Northwest, specifically Washington,Oregon, regarding the air quality. The smoke from fires in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California has settled in the two states and we officially have the worst air quality in the western hemisphere.
This picture was taken a few minutes ago. Normally we can see all the way down the valley and across the hills to the Cascade Mountains. What we see now, and have been seeing for over three weeks, is smoke. Gah!
The picture doesn’t even give you a very good idea, you have to see it in person, which, of course, you don’t want to do!
Tip the Wink 
I am so sorry, Rick. In December we were very near (close enough to be concerned about evacuation) to the Thomas Fire that started near Ventura but moved towards Carpenteria, Montecito, and Santa Barbara. The air quality was horrible for three weeks at least and we stayed mostly indoors. My work shut down for two weeks but my husband’s workplace was open the whole time so he had to go out everyday. I cannot imagine the fires causing bad air in two states. That looks worse than a smoggy day in Riverside, California (where we lived 40 years ago).
Tracy, I lived in SoCal (Laguna, Irvine, Tustin) most of my life, and I never saw it this bad. We’re used to beautiful, clear air up here, and this is shocking, as it must have been for you.
That is so sad, Rick, because I know those states/provinces have worked hard to make their air clean.
Thanks, Patti. There’s nothing we can do about the wildfires, unfortunately, and their smoke. Some rain would wash it away, but there’s none of that in the forecast.
You’re more than welcome to our excess rain, which has been well over our normal amount this summer.
This is really awful. I’m hearing the same from my brother.
It’s lousy. They’re telling everyone to stay inside as much as possible. At least it was a little bit cooler today.