September 17, 2025
Cindy E. Harnett
Residents of the South Island woke up Wednesday to an unusual sight — a red sun, smoky skies, and what appeared to be ash settling on vehicles and porches.
Speculation quickly spread online that the ash might be from the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption, resurfacing 45 years later. But experts dismissed the theory within hours.
The Portland National Weather Service initially noted that strong east winds had stirred up some of the old volcanic ash near Mount St. Helens. However, U.S. Geological Survey geologist Holly Weiss-Racine clarified that such ash would not travel far beyond the National Volcanic Monument.
Instead, Weiss-Racine said the substance observed was more likely wildfire ash. Unlike volcanic ash — which is abrasive, light-gray, and doesn’t dissolve in water — wildfire ash resembles the remains of a campfire and dissolves easily.
With several active wildfires burning in northern Washington, experts believe the smoky haze and ash drift likely originated from those blazes.
Residents across the capital region, including Saanich, reported layers of ash on their cars. “The sun was glowing orange, and ash was falling from the sky,” said local resident Kaylee Lapierre. “It looked beautiful, but it’s worrying for people’s health, especially children.”
