Update: Smoky haze hovers over Tri-Cities, Wash. Temperatures to climb to 100

A smoky haze settled over the Tri-Cities but could start to clear Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

The smoke is high enough aloft that the air quality should drop no lower than a rating of “satisfactory” on the Fourth of July through July 6, barring new wildfires, according to the Washington Smoke blog.

The smoky haze drifting south from fires in Canada, according to the weather service.

Temperatures in the Tri-Cities are expected to climb has high as 100 this week, with the hottest day forecast for Thursday.

For July 4, a high of 94 is forecast with a slight breeze of 7 to 10 mph from the north.

The fire danger in Benton County is rated as “very high,” and fire chiefs in the greater Tri-Cities area are asking residents in areas where they are legal to be cautious.

Wednesday July 5 is the last day that people are allowed to discharge fireworks in Washington state this month and only in cities and counties that allow them. They may be set off until 11 p.m. Wednesday.

This story was originally published July 3, 2023 at 1:45 PM.