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Spokane is getting hit hard with wildfire smoke and here's why

This time of the year in the Northwest often brings one thing to mind, smoke. There are a few reasons why the smoke hits the region so hard including: low valleys, dry forests and high temperatures.

SPOKANE, WASH — This time of the year in the Northwest often brings one thing to mind: Smoke. There are a few reasons why the smoke hits the region so hard.

The Northwest region sits between the Cascades and the Rockies. Usually, this would help shield the area from any extreme weather. However, when smoke fills the area, it can settle in lower valleys and stays stagnant.

Plus, because there is so much dry forest land in the area, fires have more to burn, producing more smoke and burning bigger than plenty of wildfires in less rural areas.

It does not help that summer months usually mean high pressure, so dry and hot conditions only work to compound the smoke.

Without rain, strong wind, or any significant weather event, smoke can act like dry ice does in a bowl. It sits still until another force moves it out.

RELATED: Spokane's air quality improves to very unhealthy

Luckily, Monday and Tuesday are expected to bring strong winds that will push plenty of smoke out.

This might help improve the air but won't bring air quality back the “good” range. With wildfires burning all around and stagnant air, this problem could continue for at least another week around Spokane.

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