Sacramento Asthma Ranking and Spokane Wildfire Recovery — October 8, 2026

Today's news leans toward the long tail of air quality and wildfire: a city's ongoing struggle with smog, the cost of rebuilding after a fire season, and the work of getting ready for the next one.

Sacramento ranked among the worst US cities for asthma risk

As California marks Clean Air Day, a study by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranks Sacramento as the worst city in California and 10th worst in the nation for asthma risk, CBS News Sacramento reports. An estimated 125,000 people in Sacramento County have been diagnosed with asthma.

Air quality officials say pollution levels in the city have dropped 30% over the last 25 years. Local advocates say about 70% of the region's air pollution comes from mobile sources like trucks, cars, and railways, and that the valley's geography tends to hold pollution in place. One resident told CBS she checks air quality maps before exercising and skips it when the readings are in the yellow or red.

Washington asks for $13.2 million more to repair fire-damaged infrastructure

Gov. Bob Ferguson has asked the federal government for another $13.2 million in FEMA funds to repair public infrastructure damaged in this summer's wildfires, the Spokesman-Review reports. The request covers 11 counties, including Spokane, as well as Spokane tribal lands, and adds to an earlier request for $128.9 million that has not yet been answered.

Most of the damage was in Spokane County, where the governor's request puts infrastructure losses at $70.5 million. It lists 480 damaged water meters, about 116 ruined street signs, and around 898 city trees slated for removal, along with an estimated 2,120 acres that will need post-fire rehabilitation.

Asheville firefighters get new wildfire shelters

The Asheville Fire Department received a $15,000 grant from Duke Energy to buy 20 wildfire shelters, the Asheville Citizen-Times reports. Officials say wildfire risk in Western North Carolina has risen since Tropical Storm Helene, which left an estimated 800,000 acres of downed trees and debris.

The shelters reflect radiant heat and are meant only for a worst-case situation where a fire overtakes a crew. "If we deploy these, it's a terrible day," a division fire chief told the paper.

WSU partners with SEL on Pacific Northwest wildfire research

Washington State University and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories are launching a research partnership aimed at wildfire challenges across the Pacific Northwest, the Lewiston Tribune reports. WSU's existing work includes fire behavior, the health impacts of wildfire smoke, a resilient electrical grid, and AI for early detection.

A first phase produced a regional assessment that called for a coordinated, multi-sector approach. The next phase will fund WSU researchers studying specific industry and community needs.

Sources

• Sacramento ranked among worst U.S. cities for asthma risk as Clean Air Day highlights pollution concerns — CBS News
• Ferguson asks for another $13.2 million in FEMA funds to repair damaged public infrastructure — Spokane Spokesman-Review
• Duke Energy grant funds new gear for Asheville Fire Department — Asheville Citizen-Times
• WSU and SEL partner in research initiative to combat regional wildfires — Lewiston Morning Tribune

Canairy aggregates publicly reported air-quality and wildfire news and summarizes it in plain English, with links to the original sources. This is educational information, not medical or emergency advice. In a wildfire or air-quality emergency, follow guidance from local authorities.