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Smoke Forecast for Chetco Bar Fire

The Chetco Bar fire in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness in Southwest Oregon has grown from 500 acres on Friday July 21 to an estimated 1,600 acres. Forecasters expect the fire, which is mainly burning understory, to burn through the rest of the summer until rains arrive. Smoke from the fires may affect local areas. So far air quality readings at monitors in Grants Pass, Cave Junction and Medford have been good or green. A portable air monitors will be set up in the near future in Brookings. For more information on the fire, visit InciWeb. Regular air quality forecasts will be posted here. Remember to follow the Oregon Smoke Blog on Twitter as well @ORSmokeBlog.

Smoke Forecast Outlook -  Chetco Bar Fire             
Issued for: Tuesday, July 25, 2017 
Air Resource Advisor: Paul Schlobohm (pschlobo@blm.gov)     

Weather, Fire and Smoke Synopsis


Smoke: Overall, good air quality is expected for July 25 beyond the vicinity of the Chetco Bar Fire. This includes Grants Pass, Cave Junction and the Illinois Valley, Gold Beach, and Brookings.  Light haze may be visible in the morning near Brookings as smoke drifts down the Chetco drainage overnight.  Similar to Monday, any visible smoke will retreat from the coast by mid-morning.

Fire: Chetco Bar Fire activity has been light and continues to grow slowly to about 1600 ac. 

Other: Permanent air quality monitors are located in Medford, Grants Pass, and Cave Junction.  A portable monitor has been ordered to better understand potential impacts in Brookings. 
Air Quality Outlook
Sites with air quality monitor
Site
Yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
Notes for today’s forecast
Cave Junction
Good
Good
Good
Good conditions throughout the day, hazy skies in afternoon
Grants Pass
Good
Good
Good
Good conditions throughout the day





Sites without a monitor
Site
Yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
Notes for today’s forecast
Brookings
No data
Good
Good
Early morning haze, then good conditions
Disclaimer: Conditions may change quickly. These predictions are based on anticipated weather and fire activity. AQI estimates for sites do not represent a full 24-hour time period.  Instead they reflect a period of time within the day where smoke impacts would be greatest.
AQI Index
Actions to Protect Yourself
Good
None

Moderate
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups*- USG
People with heart or lung disease, children and older adults should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.  Everyone else should limit prolonged or heavy exertion.
Unhealthy           
The following groups should avoid all physical outdoor activity: People with heart or lung disease, children and older adults.  Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
Very Unhealthy

Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors.
Hazardous
The following groups should remain indoors and keep activity levels low: People with heart or lung disease; children and older adults. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion

* Sensitive Groups include people with heart or lung disease, children, pregnant women and older adults