WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County enjoyed a relatively smoke-free summer as wildfire season nears its end.

The Washington State Department of Ecology has released a snapshot detailing the effects of wildfire smoke on air quality from May through September 2026.

Overall, smoke exposure in Whatcom County paled in comparison to record levels seen in 2023.

The Northwest Clean Air Agency issued three air quality alerts for the county over the summer.

Western Washington was the least impacted region, mainly due to the largest fires being located in the central and northeastern parts of the state.

Several areas in eastern Washington saw their highest smoke exposure in 20 years, including Chelan, Grant and Stevens counties.