Whatcom skies still clearing – will we be able to enjoy the outdoors this weekend?

Bellingham’s air quality index was 181 at 9 a.m. Wednesday, improving overnight to the “unhealthy” level of 151-200 but below the “hazardous” level of 300 where it had been earlier this week, according to a Northwest Clean Air Agency monitoring station.

Air quality also was in the “unhealthy” range in Ferndale at 187, in the Lynden/Custer area at 157, and in Maple Falls at 150.