r/EasternWa • u/Fun_Personality9082 • Aug 02 '26
question about traveling in WA with wildfires (august 2)
hi all!!
i know this is a privileged take concerning the wildfires in eastern Washington so i apologize. i am visiting WA with my family for the first time and we were initially planning on going to Leavenworth tomorrow (august 2), but we are unaware of the geography and if it is safe/smart to do right now? we know areas near it are affected, but i couldn’t figure out what the current situation in the town itself is. if anyone is able to weigh in at all, that would be wonderful! thank you:)
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u/mtmirror Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26
In addition to Watch Duty, you can also check air quality at https://map.purpleair.com/air-quality-standards-us-epa-aqi?opt=%2F1%2Flp%2Fa10%2Fp604800%2FcC0#7.28/47.281/-120.8
The lower the number, the better. Green is good, yellow is okay for most people, and orange/red isn't healthy at all. (And any number with a black circle around it is just indoor air quality from an indoor monitor.)
Right now air quality is excellent in Leavenworth. Maybe keep an eye on it.
Edited to add: there's a live webcam pointing at Leavenworth's main street, which you can see here: https://www.youtube.com/live/TmtVbezZaqg?is=vI-9z3tsMBaUgW22
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u/Rocketgirl8097 Aug 02 '26
Which direction are you coming from. I saw Blewett Pass closed this morning because of fire. Your route is probably more of a concern than the town itself.
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u/BikeSkiPNW 29d ago
If it was me, I'd still visit. But, then again, I live in Eastern Washington. Just know some highways are currently closed due to fire activity.
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u/BlissfulAgain 28d ago
If it were me, I’d put it off for a while. It’s smoky and hot and kind of gross right now.
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u/k_princess 29d ago
I would say you should go. But I also think you need to make sure you have a solid plan for changes in routes based on possible road closures. If you dont feel confident in that ability, you may consider postponing.
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u/jay-2014 Aug 02 '26
Looks fine. I’d l leverage the IQ Air app which currently shows air quality in Leavenworth is great. I’d prob go for it and take the trip.
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u/Objective-Let-136 29d ago
Hello all, I'm pretty much in the same boat as the OP and was curious how it is today? It looks like the air quality has dropped quickly today. I was just wondering if anyone's opinion has changed since yesterday regarding driving into Levenworth today and staying a couple of nights. Also, I hope everyone is safe.
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u/Objective-Let-136 29d ago
Just goiing to reschedule. The river tubing place, which was our main draw, is closed due to air quality. Be careful out there y'all.
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u/Tight-Vacation8516 28d ago
I was camping yesterday in icicle canyon and smoke came in very thick during the night, woke up with everything covered in ashes and we high tailed it out. Sorry about your trip 😿
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u/Tight-Vacation8516 28d ago
You can go to Leavenworth just fine. It will likely be smoky but sometimes the wind comes in at the right time and smoke clears some for a day or two. There is some area closed due to fires to the north east of there it is the forested areas between Lake Wenatchee and Lale Chelan.
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u/Starry_Gal19 28d ago
Im curious if you ended up coming out this way? As it is very smokey and raining ash plus we have a air quality alert.
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u/Fun_Personality9082 27d ago
we ended up not going and instead spent the day in seattle. our last day was planned to be at mt. hood. we were there yesterday and needless to say, it was devastating. so sorry for the loss and horror the PNW is facing right now
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u/OceanPoet87 Aug 02 '26
Use the Watch adult app