Smoke pours back in the Tri-Cities. When will we get relief?

The air quality in the Tri-Cities was rated as “unhealthy” on Thursday by the Washington Department of Ecology as smoke from wildfires blanketed the Mid-Columbia.

The air quality could remain in the “unhealthy” range or even the ”very unhealthy” range at times through Friday noon, according to the Benton Clean Air Agency.

However, the forecast may have area residents breathing easier.

Smoke could be blown out of the Tri-Cities on Friday and Saturday by clean air coming down the Columbia River Gorge, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures should be cool Friday and Saturday in the Tri-Cities to around 80 degrees, providing pleasant weather for the final two days of the Benton-Franklin Fair & Rodeo.

A red flag fire warning was issued for Thursday afternoon and evening because of gusty winds from the west and northwest.

Gusts of up to 21 mph, plus low humidity of 15 to 23 percent, could create several hours of critical conditions for fires, the weather service warned. Any fire could spread quickly.

As long as the air quality remains unhealthy, everyone should limit time outdoors and avoid strenuous activities indoors and out.

People who must be outdoors should consider wearing masks rated N95 to filter smoke. You can find them at hardware and home improvement stores.

People who are sensitive to bad air should be particularly careful. They include infants, children, pregnant women and older people, plus people with chronic lung and heart conditions or diabetes.

This story was originally published August 23, 2018 at 12:32 PM.