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Smoke Forecast for High Cascades Complex Fires (Including Blanket Creek, Spruce Lake, Broken Lookout) -- Aug. 24, 2017

Smoke Outlook:  High Cascades Complex                                 
Issued for: Thursday August 24, 2017 
Air Resource Advisor: Jen Croft


Fire Activity:  Blanket fire remains the most active fire within the complex, with isolated torching and smoldering along its NE edge  Spruce Lake continues to burn along its SE edge.  Broken Lookout had isolated torching runs overnight as the late clearing skies Tuesday afternoon allowed for surfacing diurnal winds.  The remaining fires within the complex have been fully contained and are in mop up status.

Smoke:  SW winds will push smoke from the Chetco Bar and Eclipse Complex back into the area in the early morning hours and continue to hold smoke close to the surface for much of the day.  Medford, Prospect, and Chiloquin are the areas of highest impact today.  Offshore flow will help move smoke away from Roseburg and provide some relief.     

Tourists at Crater Lake National Park can expect to see and smell smoke. Visitors should check for road closures and other announcements ahead of time.  Visitors can check https://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/conditions.htm for updates. 

Air Quality Outlook
Sites with air quality monitors
Site
Thursday
08/24
Friday
08/25
Saturday
08/26
Notes for TODAY’s forecast
Klamath
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate

Medford
USG
USG
USG
Brief clearing by mid-afternoon, then return of Regional haze
Shady Cove
USG
USG
USG
Most severe impacts in the late afternoon/overnight
Prospect
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Regional smoke impacts all day
Crater Lake NP (visitor center)
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Limited visibility all day- monitor is offline
Chiloquin
USG
USG
USG
Potential for late evening impacts due to Regional fires
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.
LimitedVery 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



Oregon Smoke Blog:
Oregon Dept of Environmental Quality
Blanket Creek Fire Information