why is seattle air quality bad today

The air quality in Seattle today is bad primarily due to wildfire smoke from local fires like the Bear Gulch Fire near Lake Cushman, as well as smoke drifting in from distant fires in Oregon and Northern California. Recent hot weather and dry conditions have promoted wildfire growth, increasing smoke output that drifts into the area under prevailing winds. Additionally, stagnant meteorological conditions and light winds are trapping pollutants and smoke near the surface, exacerbating the problem. Elevated ozone levels and secondary organic aerosols from vehicle and industrial emissions, combined with the wildfire smoke, contribute to the degraded air quality. The AQI around Seattle has fluctuated in the moderate range, which may pose health risks for sensitive groups. A stronger onshore marine air push expected soon may improve air quality later this weekend.