MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — Smoke is impacting air quality in western Washington.
The Northwest Clean Air Agency says there is an increase in outdoor burning and smoke due to dry weather and people staying home because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The agency is urging people to avoid burning material outdoors in Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties.
Smokey air puts people with existing lung problems at further risk for the coronavirus and it adds to the workload of first responders.