The Benton Clean Air Agency monitored the air quality in the Tri-city on Monday afternoon and rated it 'unhealthy' because of wildfires smoke in the area. As per the National Weather Service, the visibility at the Pasco airport went down to four miles at 1 p.m. on Monday. In late afternoon, it showed improvement by reaching to 10 miles.

An air quality alert has been extended for the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas by the weather service, until any further intimation. On Monday noon, the alert was expected to be called off.

As per the air quality modeling predictions posted at wasmoke.blogspot.com, the smoke in the Mid-Columbia might get worse on Tuesday as compared to Monday. The blog is a cooperative website of government agencies.

Most of Eastern Washington, including in Walla Walla, Mesa and Yakima were marked to have unhealthy air on Monday. The air quality was worse in Toppenish and it came under 'very unhealthy' category.

On Saturday, the air quality was rated as unhealthy in the Tri-Cities before it improved and got the rating of 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' on Sunday.

The Washington State Department of Ecology suggested that in the conditions wherein the air quality is rated as unhealthy, everyone should avoid spending time outdoors and outdoor exercise like team sports. Even indoors people should not do strenuous activities.

Highly sensitive people, including children, pregnant women and seniors, plus people with asthma, respiratory infection, etc, are particularly suggested to stay indoors.