Oregon Smoke Information

Today, Wednesday June 17th Minimal isolated fire-spread today is predicted for today with limited smoke production. Smoke is forecast to move over the Illinois Valley in the afternoon hours.  Communities forecast to be impacted included: O’Brien, Takilma, and possibility as north as Cave Junction or Kerby.  Smoke will likely to stay within the Illinois Valley for the remainder of the day. Visibility along HWY 199 may be reduced throughout the Illinois Valley.  Areas southwest of the fire (Smith River, Gasquet, Rockland, etc.) if impacted, will start to clear in today’s morning hours.  Smoke will return during the evening hours in the river drainage. Forecast for tomorrow Thursday June 18 th Firing operations are expected to start today in the early afternoon hours.  If started as planned, smoke concentrations will increase.  Models indicate that smoke will travel over the Illinois Valley in the afternoon hours.  Communities forecast to

Given recent news about the start of this summer's wildfire season, here's today's morning briefing on current wildfires and potential for new fires.  While there are several new fires, none so far are major size. This daily briefing can be found at the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center website at http://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/ , which has a link on the left side of this blog under "hot links". Also several maps at this website show when there are major wildfires around the state. The other best link to check is Inciweb, also at the left http://inciWeb.nwcg.gov/ .  

Significant Wildfire Outlook for 2015 The following is from the National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC). The following maps show the wildfire potential for June, July, August and September, 2015.  The entire document can be found at the following link, National Wildland Significant Fire Potential Outlook . See also http://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/outlooks/outlooks.htm These are only predictions.  The actual severity of the fire season will depend on factors that are less predictable months in advance such as lightning occurrence and winds.

The 2015 fire season is here, and the smoke blog is now active.  We'll keep people updated if there are wildfires and smoke issues.

May 27, 2015 Before wildfire season gets under full swing this year in Oregon, both public and private land managers are busy conducting hazardous fuels treatment reduction projects around the State.   This week, the Forest Service is conducting prescribed burning projects in Deschutes County as noted below. Fuels Specialists to Ignite Prescribed Burn Adjacent to Black Butte Ranch SISTERS – Given favorable weather conditions, Deschutes National Forest fuel specialists on the Sisters Ranger District plan to conduct a prescribed burn today. The 90 area to be treated is adjacent to Black Butte Ranch and ¼ mile south of Highway 20 in the Glaze Meadow area. The prescribed fire is part of the Glaze Meadow Restoration Project, a project which was accomplished through close collaboration between the Forest Service, public, and representatives from both the environmental and timber communities. Black Butte Ranch will likely be impacted by smoke as a result of this project. Due to the l

The 2014 wildfire season has concluded   The Oregon Smoke Blog has been de-activated until the 2015 wildfire season Thank You!