Smoke is expected to stay in Kittitas County for the next several days.

Smoke levels can change quickly because of wind and nearby wildfires. Before you spend time outside, check the current air quality and forecast for your area.

Check current conditions on the Washington Air Quality Map:
https://airqualitymap.ecology.wa.gov/

Air quality is reported using the Air Quality Index (AQI). Do you know what these numbers and their corresponding levels mean? View the chart below to find out.

When the air quality gets worse:

-Spend less time outside, especially if you're exercising or doing hard work.
-Keep windows and doors closed when you can.
-Set your heating or air conditioning system to recirculate if it has that setting.
-Use a HEPA air cleaner or make a clean air room in your home.
-Children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with asthma or heart or lung disease should take extra care.

Simple steps can help lower your exposure to wildfire smoke. Check air quality often and take action to protect yourself and your family.

Need this information in another language? For more information or to request translated materials, please call our front desk at (509) 962-7515.

LIGHTNING FIRE UPDATE - JULY 17, 2026

🔥Cle Elum Ranger District
• The Three Queens Fire, located 1.5 miles northwest of Little Lake Kachess, had limited growth overnight and is estimated at 25 acres. Crews continue to work on establishing an anchor and securing the perimeter, with aviation support.

Recreationists and boaters are advised that aviation resources may be dipping in Lake Cle Elum or Lake Kachess as a water source to support fire suppression efforts. Be alert and move to the lakeside if aircraft is in the area.

Recreationists are also encouraged to avoid the following USFS system roads and trails due to fire suppression activity in the area. Trails 1312 Little Kachess, 1313 Rachel Lake, 1313.1 Rampart and Lila Lake, 1331 Mineral Creek trails, and non-system route to lake Lillian. Please avoid roads in the Box Canyon area, Cooper Pass (4617) and Mineral Creek Trailhead.

🔥Wenatchee River Ranger District
• The Little Giant Fire is located ¾ of a mile west of 19-Mile Campground in the Chiwawa River drainage and is estimated at 10-acres. Rappelers are on site and a fire crew is on order.

• The Nason Ridge Fire- Crews continue to monitor the fire, which is estimated at 1/10-acre and is located about 1 mile northeast of the Stevens Pass Nordic Center.

🔥Methow Valley Ranger District
This morning, the district picked up four holdover lighting fires.

• Two of the fires are contained, Hornet Draw and North Fork fires are both located south and west of Carlton, WA.
• Two of the new starts are in the Pasayten Wilderness. The Ptarmigan fire is located 4 miles from the Canadian border, and the Crater Fire is located 3 miles east of Ross Lake (North Cascades National Park). These will continue to be monitored by aerial resources.
• The Beaver Fire is 2-acres and located 4 miles NE of Winthrop, WA. Two smokejumpers are assigned.

With the hot and dry conditions holdover fires or new smoke reports are anticipated in the coming days. An aerial observation flight has been requested, and Forest Service crews continue to look for fires with boots on the ground and aerial detection.

Please be aware of increased fire traffic on Forest roads and report any new fire starts to 911.

Know before you go! If you’re planning to head to the National Forest, please be aware that Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in place. And with recent lightning and fire activity, check ahead to make sure the location you want to go to is not impacted by a fire closure.

Photo: Three Queens Fire on July 17 at 10 am, located on the Cle Elum Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. USDA Forest Service.

SCAM ALERT: Calls Targeting Families of Jail Inmates

This week, numerous people with a family member or friend in the Kittitas County Jail have received calls from scammers.

The scammers are using public information from the Jail Roster and other sources to make their stories sound legitimate. They may claim they can arrange bail, place someone in a diversion program, or provide some other service—but their goal is always the same: to get you to send money.

**Do not send money.**

If someone you care about is in our jail and you receive any call asking for money or personal information:

**Hang up and call the Kittitas County Jail directly at 509-962-7527.**

The scammers may pressure you not to hang up. They may make threats or try to use your loved one’s safety or well-being against you. Do not let urgency or fear prevent you from verifying the claim directly with us.

If you have any questions, call the Jail. We will be glad to help you sort out what is real and what is not.