Wildfire Smoke Choking Western Cities

03:44

August 24, 2015

Wildfire smoke obscures the view in this photo taken yesterday of Lake Coeur d'Alene in the Idaho panhandle, about 35 miles from Spokane, Washington. The photo on the right was taken from the same spot in June. (Mary O'Dowd)

Wildfires burning across the West have sent plumes of smoke into the air that are spreading hundreds of miles away.

It's so bad in places like Eastern Washington that some air quality experts are saying the region hasn't been this hazy and unhealthy since Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980.

Lisa Woodard of Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency discusses the air quality with Here & Now's Robin Young.

If wildfire smoke is affecting your area, we'd love to see a photo. Post it in the comments section below, tweet the photo to @hereandnow or post the photo on Instagram and mention or tag @hereandnowradio.

Guest

Lisa Woodard, public information officer at Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency.

This segment aired on August 24, 2015.