Winds blamed for smoky conditions

The air in the Coeur d'Alene area was choked with smoke on Thursday night, the result of gusting winds that fanned regional wildfires and created tinder dry conditions, said local meteorologist Randy Mann.

"Whenever you have strong winds like these, it just dries everything up. Anything like a spark or dried lightning, it just doesn't take much to get these fires going," Mann said.

Winds in Coeur d'Alene reached between 30 and 40 miles per hour on Thursday, he said. The gusts likely carried over smoke from wildfires occurring across the Northwest, including south of Pullman and in Eastern Washington.

"That's what you're smelling," Mann said on Thursday night. "The wind picks it up and can carry that smoke over long distances."

Mann predicted cooler temperatures and higher humidity into the weekend, which should help conditions, he said.

In the meantime, he cautioned recreators against lighting campfires. He advised anyone with asthma or respiratory problems to stay inside until the skies are clear.