Wildfire smoke of unprecedented intensity is now blanketing large regions of the United States. Millions of Americans are left searching for ways to protect themselves from toxic particles that penetrate deep into the lungs, prompting renewed calls for more robust defenses from both health experts and innovators.

An air quality warning has been issued for the Okanagan-Similkameen region, as smoke from wildfires outside Kelowna is expected to blanket the area. The Ministry of Environment and Parks anticipates these conditions for up to 48 hours.

A commanding triumph for Kittitas over Granger marked the week’s high school football action in the Central Washington Athletic Conference. Meanwhile, Cle Elum’s game never got underway—a precautionary measure as wildfire smoke blanketed the region.