A tough week in Seattle: record-level heat and wildfire smoke are posing health risks; the Mariners are dealing with injuries to key players; and the city is preparing to declare summer 2026 “Jimothy Summer” in honor of the famous raccoon.
A tough week in Seattle: unusual heat and smoke from wildfires
This week, residents of western Washington are facing extreme weather. Meteorologists say Tuesday and Wednesday will be the hottest days since the start of the year: in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, temperatures could approach 38°C (100°F). Even in the mountains, the air is expected to warm to nearly 32°C. Authorities have already issued a Heat Advisory from the morning of Tuesday through late night on Wednesday. The key concern is that there will be little relief at night—making sleep extremely uncomfortable and potentially dangerous for people without air conditioning.
At the same time as the heat, smoke from wildfires is moving into the region, burning to the east of the Cascades and in British Columbia. In the northern counties of Skagit and Whatcom, an Air Quality Alert is already in effect until the early hours of Tuesday. Easterly winds will keep pushing the smoke into western Washington, especially the north and mountainous areas. The sky over Seattle is becoming hazy—an “offshore flow,” when wind blows from land to sea, bringing not only hot air from the east but also wildfire smoke.
By Thursday, forecasts suggest that the remnants of a tropical system will increase humidity, raising the likelihood of isolated thunderstorms. However, by the weekend the weather should turn cooler. The combination of unusual heat and polluted air is creating serious health risks, especially for children, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions. FOX 13 Seattle meteorologists advise residents to limit time outdoors during daytime hours, use air purifiers, and watch closely for symptoms of heat stroke. A more detailed forecast and updates can be found in the original article on the FOX 13 Seattle website.
Updates on Julio Rodríguez and J.P. Crawford injuries for the Seattle Mariners
On Monday night, the Seattle Mariners delivered a convincing 8-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds, moving the team back to first place in the AL West division. But the victory was overshadowed by two worrying health-related incidents involving key players. Before the game, infielder J.P. Crawford was pulled from the starting lineup, and during the game—just a few minutes after he drove in the team’s first run—Julio Rodríguez was replaced.
Mariners manager Dan Wilson explained after the game what’s going on with both players. Rodríguez left the field out of precaution: on his RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning, after a wild throw by Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, the ball struck him in the upper left part of his leg. To make matters worse, the play at first base was a rough one—and it was only the third game since Rodríguez returned from the injured list, where he had been placed after suffering a concussion. As Wilson noted, although Rodríguez has had some hamstring issues this season as well, doctors do not see signs of a strain. The decision to replace him was made quickly to avoid any risk for an athlete just coming back from a serious injury. “He’s fine,” Wilson said. “Julio was on the line, the ball hit his leg. We had to make a quick decision, and we decided that right now—given his recent situation—is the best time to rest him and see how he feels tomorrow.”
As for Crawford, he has been diagnosed with wrist soreness. He is out indefinitely (“day-to-day”). Crawford, who typically plays as the lead-off hitter, had been playing at third base over the past month, but on Monday he was expected to return to his usual shortstop spot—giving Colt Emerson a day off in honor of his 21st birthday. However, because of Crawford’s injury, Emerson returned to the starting lineup, and left fielder and All-Star Game participant Randy Arozarena was moved up to the leadoff spot in the batting order. Emerson contributed: one hit in three at-bats, one run scored, and an RBI sacrifice fly, while Arozarena reached base four times out of four possible chances (two hits, two walks), helping the Mariners secure a comfortable win.
These developments come during an important stretch of the season: the Mariners are fighting for a postseason spot, and the status of each of the team’s leaders—Rodríguez and Crawford—directly affects the depth of the roster. The careful handling of Rodríguez underlines just how seriously the team is taking his recent concussion: even minor contact can lead the coaching staff to be extra cautious. For fans who may not be familiar with baseball terminology, here’s what the phrases mean: “was removed from the lineup” means the player was taken out of the starting nine right before the game; “day-to-day” is an injury status under which a player could return at any moment, but no exact timetable is set; an “RBI single” is a hit that allows one run to score (the hitter is credited with reaching first base). The team will continue its series against the Reds on Tuesday. In an article on Seattle Sports, ESPN analyst Passan also notes his belief that catcher Cal Raleigh can “fix himself,” though that’s a different story altogether.
Jimothy—Seattle’s raccoon supersta r: Summer 2026 will be “Jimothy Summer”
Seattle residents barely had time to catch their breath after news of the unexpected arrival of the famous raccoon named Jimothy—when city officials already made it official by assigning him an entire summer. This tiny “trash bear” (a jokey U.S. nickname for raccoons, known for digging through garbage) captured the hearts of millions, including Seattle City Council member Alexis Mercedes Rinck. Last Friday, she announced that she would issue a proclamation—an official statement on behalf of her office—honoring Jimothy. The ceremony will take place on July 26, 2026 at noon at Bergen Place Park in Ballard next to the farmers market, and with that act, summer 2026 will be declared “Jimothy Summer.”
A proclamation isn’t a law, but a ceremonial recognition of achievements or events—and in this case it’s for a raccoon who became famous in just a matter of days. It started when local resident Kiana Hall spotted the unusual animal near the Goodwill thrift store in Ballard and named him Jimothy. Hall is the one who will be invited to attend the ceremony for the momentous occasion. Rumors about Jimothy spread instantly across social media, sparking a wave of creativity: artists competed to create the best images of the raccoon, and a tattoo shop in Ballard offered anyone interested the chance to get a Jimothy tattoo. Even The Oatmeal comic author from Bainbridge Island drew Jimothy in the style of a police composite sketch—“just in case he’s needed by the police.”
City agencies and even state offices didn’t stay out of the conversation. The Washington State Department of Health posted reassurance to the public: “As long as you’re not trying to pet him, hug him, or feed him, Jimothy poses no health threat.” And on social media, a whole herd of government organizations started competing in memes about the celebrity raccoon, further stoking interest. Councilmember Rinck explained the buzz simply: people are looking for something funny and new. “In times when news constantly shocks and worries you, it’s nice to get unexpected but kind and bright reasons to be happy. It shows how much we’ve missed something simple and sincere—something that can surprise us and put a smile on our faces,” The Seattle Times quoted her as saying. Of course, Jimothy himself couldn’t comment to the press—he was unavailable Friday evening. Maybe he’s already preparing for his official summer, which won’t arrive until two years from now, but in the hearts of Seattle residents, this little raccoon has already become a symbol of that “good surprise” Rinck talked about.
