As wildfires continue across Washington, it’s critical for your health to reduce exposure to smoke. The good news is that we’re seeing cleaner ocean air arrive around Bellingham and Everett. However, for much of the state, smoke will hang on across the Cascades for another couple of days.

The federal government granted my request in full for an emergency declaration to help cities, counties, the state and tribes fight our record setting wildfires, with the exception of debris removal. We have support for emergency shelters, food and water, search and rescue. Read more here:

An overturned FedEx truck on I-82 westbound, near MP 39, is blocking all traffic near Yakima. The truck was carrying a mixed load with corrosive paint and paint-related materials (such as thinners) that has spilled to the roadway. No fuel was spilled.

In the wake of devastating wildfires in Spokane, we’re seeing statewide impacts to air quality. As winds shift through this evening, we expect to see smoke blanket the state from Vancouver to Spokane, including major metropolitan areas like Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett.

Spent the day in Spokane, grateful for the strong coordination across agencies. I'll be staying here tonight, continuing to work to get resources where they're needed.

The National Weather Service issued a "Particularly Dangerous Situation" warning for fire conditions today — that's a step above a Red Flag Warning. The conditions are extreme, and the danger is real. That's why I've declared a state of emergency — statewide — including a burn ban.

Our record-setting drought and high winds are creating dangerous conditions across the state. I am declaring an emergency to help prevent loss of life and property damage. As part of this declaration, I'm declaring a statewide burn ban.

You’ve got mail from Ecology’s coastal zone management team! 📬 Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work in the field? This “audio postcard” was sent by Julia, a coastal resilience partnership planner.

That’s a wrap on our Pacific Northwest Textile Circularity Symposium! 🧵 This past May, our Recycling Market Development team gathered several sustainability specialists from across the state to discuss some of the fastest-growing material-types in our waste stream: clothes and fabrics.

Check out the latest edition of Behind the Scenes at the Nuclear Waste Program featuring our Tank Waste Treatment Section Manager, Suzanne Dahl. She has not only made history alongside her team, but also has devoted more than 30 years to the Hanford cleanup mission. ecology.wa.gov/blog/july-20...

Ecology and Lummi Nation spill responders are at the scene of the Kenmore Air crash off Sucia Island. Contractors are removing plane debris from the water and we are assessing possible impacts to the environment. There is no visible sheen.

Congratulations to Jimothy, Washingtonian of the Day.

Happy Birthday to Washington’s Coastal Zone Management Program! 50 looks good on you! 🎉 With more than 3,000 miles of marine shoreline, protecting Washington’s “coastal zone” is no simple task. That’s where the state Coastal Zone Management Program that Ecology administers comes in. 🧵 (1/5)

As older smoke cleared away, new plumes filled in behind and extended Air Quality Alerts for most of Eastern & Central Washington. The latest WA Smoke Blog post explains why NE Washington is expected to face the strongest impact, where the smoke is coming from, & how long it could stick around:

Lingering Smoke Clears as New Smoke Plumes Take Shape

Air Quality Alerts Air Quality Alerts (AQAs) in Washington were expanded today due to current conditions.  The map below shows all AQAs curr...

wasmoke.blogspot.com

Ecology’s ZEVergreen report is out now 🚗 It summarizes barriers to clean vehicle adoption & potential strategies to address them—all based on feedback from communities, Tribal governments, utilities, industry, and… you! This input will guide the future of our clean transportation system. Learn more:

First ‘ZEVergreen’ report will shape affordable clean transportation policy amidst federal interference

Ecology released a new report that details public feedback about how the state should address barriers to zero-emission vehicle adoption as the federal government tries to stall progress.

ecology.wa.gov

Ecology’s pollution prevention team helps businesses make a big difference with small changes. See how TOTE Maritime and Henrybuilt reduced dangerous waste with pollution prevention incentive funding: ecology.wa.gov/blog/july-20...

Hey @wsdot.wa.gov, we’ve got a new PSA too: Jimothy & Kevin the marmot are officially besties. And how could they not be? They both want people to properly dispose of their waste—whether it goes in the trash, recycling, or compost—and keep it off our roads. No littering! 🚮

SMOKE UPDATE: Spokane and Northeast WA continue to see smoke impacts from wildfires in the region (mainly the Kaiser Canyon and Modrite Fires), though we expect conditions to improve by tomorrow evening.

Today marks 1 year of the Wenatchee returning to service as the largest hybrid-electric ferry in the country and the first to be converted. 5,500 sailings later, we are proud of the results. It's already saving up to 17,000 gallons of diesel each month. Once we install rapid shore charging…

🚨 Air Quality Alert 🚨 for Adams, Lincoln, Spokane, and Whitman Counties: Wildfire smoke is making the air quality dangerous in these areas, which have seen “Very Unhealthy” and “Hazardous” Air Quality Index (AQI) values. This alert is in effect through Sunday, July 19th at 9 am.

Salt Creek beach, also known as Crescent Beach, in Clallam County has an advisory due to high bacteria levels. High levels of bacteria can make people sick. Please avoid contact with the water in this area. Stay up to date on your local beaches & learn how to avoid illness: ecology.wa.gov/beach

Spokane & Spokane Valley are experiencing smoky conditions from the Turner Hill Fire in north Idaho. Today, the region has seen Air Quality Index (AQI) readings in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” to “Unhealthy” ranges. Read more on the WA Smoke Blog: wasmoke.blogspot.com/2026/07/turn...

Turner Hill fire in North Idaho smoking out Spokane this morning

A fast moving fire started last night in the Turner Hill area , north of Sandpoint. Low mixing heights and a direct wind flow brought smoke ...

wasmoke.blogspot.com

NEW AIR SENSOR DROPPED 🚨🔥🚒 Tacoma Fire Department Station 7 recently helped our monitoring team install a SensWA air sensor on their roof. This SensWA will provide more information about air pollution in the South Tacoma area. Check out the data: airqualitymap.ecology.wa.gov

One example — we recently signed a carbon market linkage agreement with California and Québec, a historic milestone in joining the largest subnational carbon market in the world. This enables businesses to make more predictable, long-term investments in reducing greenhouse gases and accelerates...

Gov. Bob Ferguson@governorferguson.bsky.social · 3w ago

Our state is moving forward as a national leader on climate, despite a federal government that seems hellbent on rolling back every ounce of progress. I appreciate Mayor Wilson and the attendees at the launch of PNW Climate Week today. What's happening in DC isn't stopping us.

Lower recycling bills & streamlined collection are coming in 2030! The Recycling Reform Act requires producers to pay for managing waste from their consumer packaging & paper products. And with statewide collection lists, what is recyclable in Renton will also be recyclable in Ritzville. Learn more:

Approximately 90% of Monday's spill at Vigor Shipyard in Seattle has been cleaned using vacuum skimmers and oil absorbent material. Hard boom containment and sorbents will be in place until remaining oil is recovered, and the ship moves into dry dock. The cause of the spill is under investigation.

We could get used to this view! 😍 (talking about the charger, obviously) Our Charge Where You Are: Connecting Washington grant program is accepting applications until July 23. Public & private entities interested in hosting level 2 & 3 EV charging stations may apply: ecology.wa.gov/about-us/pay...

We’re responding to a spill at Vigor Shipyards on Harbor Island in Seattle. Fuel was being removed from the naval vessel USS Sampson when a hose failure led to a discharge of an estimated 2500 to 5000 gallons of diesel to Elliott Bay, spilling into a pre-boomed area around the vessel.

Sports gear, wedding décor, software and… campus compost? All were among 15 innovative recycling projects shared at the NextCycle Washington 2026 Pitch Showcase in May. The event capped a six-month accelerator program that supports entrepreneurs in recycling and reuse. Learn more:

NextCycle honors innovative recycling projects

<p>Reuse and recycling efforts for sports gear, wedding décor, software and composting were celebrated at the annual Pitch Showcase. The event capped a six-month program for 15 entrepreneurs.</p>

ecology.wa.gov

Great news! Our recent study shows that clean water projects in the Snohomish Basin have reduced bacteria pollution. 👏 Despite significant population growth, most of the locations we studied have lower or steady bacteria levels.