Oregon Smoke Information

Map Notes:

The map above shows active fires and air quality monitors around the state. Round icons represent permanent air quality monitors, triangular icons represent temporary smoke monitors (when deployed).

Friday, August 9, 2019

Smoke forecast for southwest Oregon: Updated August 9

SW Oregon Smoke Forecast


Smoke forecast outlooks are issued in areas where smoke from wildland fires may be of concern and Air Resource Advisors have been deployed. Outlooks are issued under the authority and auspices of the organization or incident requesting the Air Resource Advisor.

Find the most current smoke outlook from the US Forest Service here.


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Sunday, August 4, 2019

Smoke forecast for southwest Oregon: Update August 4, 2019

Oregon Smoke Information Outlook


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Saturday, August 3, 2019

SW Oregon update


SW Oregon smoke information
Smoke outlook for 8/03- 8/04
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Friday, August 2, 2019

DEQ lifts air quality advisory for Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, keeps in place for southern Douglas County

Aug. 2, 2019

The Oregon Department of Environmental lifted the air quality advisory for Jackson, Josephine, Klamath counties Friday, keeping it in place for southern Douglas County though the weekend.

Air quality improved dramatically in Rogue Valley late yesterday. But the area immediately around the fire—the Azalea and Glendale area—is still experiencing smoke impacts. Air quality monitors in this area are picking up smoke fluctuating between moderate to unhealthy levels.

The Grants Pass and Medford area may see some moderate smoke levels through the weekend, but air quality should generally be good.

Azalea-Glendale-Canyonville area residents may consider leaving the area for periods of time throughout the weekend. Air quality is generally good in surrounding areas.

Smoke conditions can change rapidly near wildfires, check current air quality conditions and advisories on DEQ’s Air Quality Index or by downloading the OregonAir app on a smartphone.

Media contact: Laura Gleim, DEQ public affairs specialist, gleim.laura@deq.state.or.us, 541-633-2030
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Monday, July 29, 2019

DEQ extends air quality advisory for Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Douglas counties


Canyonville, OR—The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is extending an air quality advisory for Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties, and including southern Douglas County, due to smoke that continues to blow south from the Milepost 97 Fire near Canyonville. The advisory will be in place for at least the next several days, possibly longer. DEQ and partner agencies are reassessing conditions every few days.

There is expected to be consistent smoke in the moderate to unhealthy range in these areas. People who are sensitive to smoke should consider leaving the area until conditions improve. A temporary air quality monitor will be set up in Glendale to provide a clearer understanding of conditions in southern Douglas County.

Curry County is no longer under advisory, but Curry and Lake counties may continue to experience intermittent smoke over the next several days. DEQ will continue to monitor smoke in these areas.

Smoke conditions can change rapidly near wildfires, check current air quality conditions and advisories on DEQ's website or by downloading the OregonAir app on a smartphone.

Smoke can irritate people’s eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions. Small children, adults over 65, pregnant women and people with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable.

People can take the following precautions to protect their health during periods of severe smoke:
  • Stay inside if possible and avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
  • Be aware of smoke in your area and avoid places with highest concentrations.
  • If you have asthma or heart or lung disease, follow your healthcare provider’s advice.
  • Use certified HEPA filters in indoor heating, ventilation, cooling and air purification systems. HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air filters.
  • Check for cleaner air shelters in your area on the Oregon Smoke Blog.
Resources:
Contact:
DEQ: Laura Gleim, Public Affairs Specialist, (541) 633-2030, gleim.laura@deq.state.or.us

Jackson County: Tanya Phillips, Jackson County Public Health, (541) 770-7708, PhilliTF@jacksoncounty.org

Klamath County: Valeree Lane, Klamath County Public Health, (541) 851-3737, vlane@klamathcounty.org 
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Sunday, July 28, 2019

Smoke Update for Southwestern Oregon


Sunday July 28, 2019 9:00 am
The Fire:  
The Mile Post 97 Fire, located about 1 mile southeast of Canyonville was reported on Wednesday, July 24th at approximately 10:00 pm.  The fire is burning in timber, in steep, rocky terrain with limited access.   As of Sunday morning, the fire has burned 11,000 acres with 5% containment, and has spotted over to the east side of I-5.    Structures are threatened and level 2 “Get Set” evacuations are in progress for all residences on the west side of the freeway between mileposts 88-83.  The fire is being managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry is human caused.  There will be a community meeting at 7 pm tonight at Glendale High School.  

Weather: Currently, an upper level trough of low pressure is present in the Gulf of Alaska with a ridge of high pressure over southern California and Arizona.  This is creating zonal flow (westerlies) over southwestern Oregon at the upper levels.  At the surface, winds are from the north and light overnight, shifting to northerly to northwesterly with increasing speed during the day.  Nocturnal drainage flows are expected overnight under the evening temperature inversion.

Over the next 24 hours, the trough of low pressure in the Gulf of Alaska will start to dig south and the ridge of high pressure will push north into the Great Basin.  As a result, upper level winds over southwestern Oregon will begin to shift from westerly to southwesterly flow.   At the surface, winds will continue to be from the north, with shifts slightly towards to the southeast during the day and towards the southwest overnight.

Smoke (last 48 hours):

Grants Pass:  Smoke has been fluctuating diurnally with peak concentrations during the day time reaching 200 ug/m3 (very unhealthy) and clearing out overnight.

Medford/Ashland:  Highest concentrations of smoke have been overnight reaching very unhealthy levels overnight and moderate concentrations during the day.  



Klamath Falls: Smoke has been worse during the overnight hours, reaching the unhealthy levels occasionally.  During the day, smoke has been remained mostly in the moderate levels.  
Cave Junction:  Smoke has reached the unhealthy level during the day, with some improvement to the moderate level over night night. 

Coastal Communities (Brookings and Gold Beach).   No monitors are available so the following is based upon what is observed in the smoke models.  Even with the easterly push of smoke overnight, Brookings and Gold Beach appear to be clear of smoke.   However, just a bit south, Crescent City has experienced smoke. 

Smoke Forecast:   
Expect much of the same pattern to continue today with smoke pushing south of the fire during the day, and south-southwest during the late afternoon, shifting back to the south and southeast overnight.   Also some  lighter smoke is expected east of the fire affecting the communities of Tiller and Crater Lake National Park. This pattern is expected to continue for the next few days.  As such, the diurnal patterns of smoke we’ve seen the last few days are likely to continue. 

Miscellaneous:
An Air Resource Advisor has been ordered and is expected to arrive on scene Monday morning.  This individual will be able to provide more detailed smoke forecasts and additional smoke monitoring once on scene.  

Disclaimer:  Smoke forecasts are subject to change as they are based upon forecasts of fire behavior and weather.  

Forecast prepared by Rick Graw, USDA Forest Service.

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Saturday, July 27, 2019

Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28: Air quality advisory is still in effect for Curry, Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory on Friday for much of southwest Oregon due to smoke from a wildfire in southern Douglas County, approximately one mile southeast of Canyonville.
 
Curry, Jackson, Josephine and Klamath Counties are affected. This air advisory is in place through the weekend until Monday, July 29, 2019. On Monday morning, DEQ will evaluate whether to extend the advisory and in which locations.
 
Smoke conditions can change rapidly near wildfires, check current air quality conditions and advisories on DEQ’s website or by downloading the OregonAir app on a smartphone.
 
Resources:

Contacts:
DEQ: Harry Esteve, Communications Manager, Statewide, (503) 229-6484, esteve.harry@deq.state.or.us

Douglas County: Teresa Mutschler, (541) 440-3568, teresa@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org 

Curry County: Sherrie Ward, Curry County Public Health, (541) 373-8016, wards@currych.org

Jackson County: Tanya Phillips, Jackson County Public Health, (541) 770-7708, PhilliTF@jacksoncounty.org

Josephine County: Mike Weber, Public Health Director, (541) 474-5339, mweber@co.josephine.or.us

Klamath County: Ramona Quinn, Klamath County Public Health, (541) 892-9153, rquinn@co.klamath.or.us; OR
Jim Carey, Klamath County Public Health, (541) 882-8846, jcarey@co.klamath.or.us
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