It’s a combination excessive heat warning and air quality alert for the Pacific Northwest this Friday, as forecasted highs of 95 degrees compete with hazy smoke to see which can make the weather more unpleasant.

The high-90s heat began Thursday and was soon joined by another uninvited guest: Wildfire smoke from still-raging fires in California. According to the Washington Smoke Blog, air quality across much of the Puget Sound was rated “Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups” Friday morning.

In the Plateau and the Puget Sound more generally, it’s possible that the Schneider Springs Fire northwest of Naches may also bring intermittent blasts of more smoke Friday, depending on which way the wind blows.

Here’s the good news: Air quality and temperatures are both predicted to improve starting Saturday. A cold front Sunday should turbo-charge that process, blowing out any smoke still lingering in the air, according to the Smoke Blog.

Until then, the National Weather Service is advising people to limit time outdoors, drink lots of water and check on relatives and neighbors.

The Enumclaw Senior Center at 1350 Cole Street is open Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. as a cooling shelter. All ages are allowed and bottled water will be provided. Call (360) 825-4741 for more information. The Enumclaw Library is also open Friday and Saturday from 10 am. to 5 p.m. as a cooling shelter.

On the Plateau and across much of Western Washington, temperatures were projected to peak in the high 90s Thursday and Friday, with highs cooling off but still reaching near 90 on Saturday. According to the NWS, the hottest temperatures will hit the Southwest Interior, the Cascade Valleys, and yes, the Cascade Foothills.

“Nighttime relief on Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning will be poor” in the area, the NWS warned, with overnight temperatures mostly remaining in the 70s and only briefly dropping into the 60s.

The record-breaking June heatwave claimed at least one life in Enumclaw – a 68-year-old woman who was visiting friends and who died from hyperthermia, or overheating.

Close windows in your home to keep the air clean if you can – if the heat becomes unbearable, it’s better to open windows for a short period of time, according to a press release from local health agencies.

During hot and smoky weather, consider:

• Drinking plenty of hydrating fluids

• Staying indoors in air-conditioned rooms

• Limiting time outside

• Limiting physical exertion

• Checking on relatives and neighbors

• Avoiding leaving kids and pets unattended in vehicles

• Wearing an N95 mask while outdoors. (Cloth face masks for COVID-19 don’t offer much protection from smoke.)

As soon as we hear about other public cooling centers on the Plateau, this article will be updated with that information.