Tonight’s installment of Yakima Parks & Recreation’s Outdoor Summer Cinema Series has been canceled due to poor air quality resulting from smoke generated by Northwest wildfires.

“The Lion King” was scheduled to be shown tonight (Sunday, August 19th) beginning at about 8:30 pm at Chesterley Park.  However, due to an Air Quality Alert issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology, the showing of the movie has been cancelled.

The Air Quality Alert was issued at about 8:45 am today and will remain in effect until at least noon tomorrow (Monday, August 20th).  Air quality monitoring stations in and around Yakima are reporting air as “hazardous” and “very unhealthy”.  Northerly winds are pushing smoke from wildfires across the Northwest region into the Yakima area.

Government officials are recommending people stay inside with windows and doors closed.  People with chronic health conditions and those who need to go outside are recommended to wear a respirator rated at least N-95.

“The Lion King” was to be the last of the six movies shown as part of Yakima Parks & Recreation’s 2018 Outdoor Summer Cinema Series.  The series has been going on for several years and is a favorite tradition of Yakima area families.