Seattle ranked among worst air quality in the world after Fourth of July

SEATTLE - On July 4, Seattle's air quality index reached 130, ranking among the worst in the world, according to IQAir.

Fireworks and an incoming heatwave contributed to the unhealthy conditions. As of Friday afternoon, air quality peaked at 93, with recent hours showing a decline.

Each summer, Seattle deals with wildfire impacts across Washington state. IQAir reports Seattle experiences an average of 14.2 unhealthy pollution days annually.

East of the Cascades, Chelan currently holds the second-worst air quality ranking nationwide, with an air quality of 158. This follows a wildfire in Wenatchee that prompted evacuation notices from Chelan County Emergency Management. Officials detained a boy suspected of setting off fireworks in the area, possibly sparking the fire.

Air quality is expected to improve, although an incoming heatwave may escalate wildfire risks in the hot, dry Chelan region. Smoke from these fires could later move into the Seattle metropolitan area, as seen in previous years.