NW has dodged wildfire smoke this summer (so far), but fires still being fought across Washington

Wildfire smoke around the Seattle area hasn't caused too many problems this year, compared to years past.

Except in Southern Oregon, it's been a quiet summer for smoke monitors, with about a month left in the regular fire season.

The Pacific Northwest is still reaping the benefits of the cooler-than-normal spring and delayed mountain snowmelt. Wildfire smoke drifting north from California only affected Oregon a few days. British Columbia has also been a source of heavy smoke in the past, but it received more rain than usual this summer.

Washington State Climatologist Nick Bond says while there have been some wildfires locally, the lungs of most of us in the Northwest have dodged a bullet, so far.

“There still is plenty of time left in the fire season. We’re not out of the woods yet, pun intended," Bond said.

Bond says the fire season shifted this year — it started later, but could also end a little later. According to the Washington Department of Ecology, that means you still have time to research how to improve the air filtration on your home air conditioner, if you have one.

Despite the light season, so far, there are still some blazes being monitored in Washington state. Check out current wildfire conditions across the state here.

Lightning strikes are being blamed for a couple of fires that have forced evacuations in central Washington.

Both the White River and Irving Peak Fires were sparked last Friday, about 15 miles northwest of Plain, Wash., which is north of Leavenworth. The White River Fire has burned approximately 340 acres and the Irving Peak Fire has charred 143 acres.

Over the weekend, Chelan County officials issued a level 3 evacuation order (which basically means "leave now") for people along Sears Creek Road.

Meanwhile, the nearly 6,000 acre Cow Canyon Fire outside of southwest Ellensburg is now 90% contained. The Mohr Fire northeast of Wenatchee is 86% contained after burning nearly 7,000 acres. The Vantage Highway fire is 100% contained.

This post has been updated.