Air quality alert issued for Mason County as Bear Gulch Fire continues to burn
An air quality advisory has been issued for Mason County as the Bear Gulch Fire continues to burn north of Lake Cushman. According to Watch Duty, the fire has burned more than 5,500 acres since it was first reported on July 6.
According to a news release from the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency on Tuesday, Aug. 12, smoke from the fire has been pushing into northern Mason County and the Hood Canal region.
As a result, the National Weather Service, in coordination with the Department of Ecology, the Department of Natural Resources, and ORCAA, has issued an Air Quality Advisory for Mason County that will stay in effect through Friday morning.
According to the release, particulate matter levels may reach very unhealthy or hazardous levels in areas closest to the fire. According to ORCAA’s website, Mason County’s air quality was at 55 AQI on Tuesday, which is moderate.
Olympia’s air quality was so far unaffected by the smoke on Tuesday, at 13 AQI.
When air quality is very unhealthy or hazardous, everyone should reduce exposure. Stay inside and filter indoor air to keep it cleaner. Consider going elsewhere for cleaner air, if necessary. Burning restrictions are in effect.
Smoke is expected to affect more communities from Hoodsport to Shelton as the fire continues to burn, and could reach into the south Puget Sound as well, including Thurston and Pierce counties.
According to the release, a large plume of smoke from fires in northern British Columbia has also pushed south over the Pacific just off the Washington coast. As the high-pressure ridge currently over the Washington interior breaks down, that smoke plume could move onshore. That could create elevated levels of particulate matter in the air in coastal communities of Pacific, Grays Harbor, Jefferson and Clallam counties.
You can find more information about current air quality in your region on the ORCAA website.
This story was originally published August 12, 2025 at 12:17 PM.
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