By Josephine Peterson, Tacoma News Tribune

It is likely to be a smoky summer in Western Washington.

The rate of wildfires this year has been record-breaking in the state, and it’s on track to continue. On Thursday, a wildfire that had grown to 14 square miles was threatening more than 1,500 homes near Wenatchee.

More fire brings more smoke, some which could slip into the Puget Sound region.

Erik Saganic monitors air quality for the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. He previously told The News Tribune the intensity of smoke this year would depend on wildfire severity, rainfall and lightning, but dryness and heat suggest Western Washington can expect a season of heavy smoke this year.

“This summer started very hot and dry, and we’ve had a lot of fires already, which is early for the season,” Saganic said in an email. “Thankfully, we haven’t been downwind of the smoke yet.”

The state Department of Natural Resources tracks air quality. Its most recent forecast reported that most of Washington currently has good air quality, apart from moderate air quality in the Eastern Washington near the Canadian border.

Forecasting smoke patterns beyond a few days is difficult and would require predicting air patterns and wildfire locations, Washington state climatologist Nick Bond said.

Smoke can either remain high in the atmosphere or blanket the air closer to the Earth’s surface. If it remains around 5,000 feet or higher, it can cause spectacular sunrises and sunsets or give the area a hazy day, Bond said. If the smoke makes it closer to the surface, that’s when it can be difficult for humans to breathe.

Smoke traveling greater distances tends to remain higher in the atmosphere but can “mix” down to the surface, Bond said. Closer wildfires can bring smoke rolling through surface air.