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Smoke Forecast for Umpqua North/High Cascades Complex Fires -- Aug. 29, 2017

Smoke Outlook:  Umpqua North/High Cascades Complex                       
Issued for: Tuesday Aug. 29, 2017 
Air Resource Advisor: Jen Croft, Aaron Wilkerson (T)

Fire Activity:  High Cascades is reported at 18,997 acres. Umpqua North is reported at 18,073. All uncontained fires continue to grow. An earlier start to fire activity due to hot/dry unstable conditions  with an overall increase in fire activity including crown runs, group torching and short range spotting was observed. Smoke columns were visible on the GOES satellite imagery from all fires in SW Oregon. This fire activity contributed to widespread unhealthy air quality within the region.

Smoke: Light winds early in the day will provide little relief from conditions experienced Monday morning. In the afternoon smoke will push east of the fires with a stronger developing westerly wind. This may greatly impact the Rogue Valley, Cascades and communities along the east side of the Cascades. However, these westerly winds may provide some relief to Roseburg, Glide and Medford. 

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
Tuesday
08/29
Wednesday
08/30
Thursday
08/31
Notes for TODAY’s forecast
Roseburg
USG
USG
USG
AM Smoke with potential for clearing  in the afternoon.
Glide
USG
USG
USG
AM Smoke with potential for clearing  in the afternoon.
Toketee**
Very Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Limited relief all day
Diamond Lake**
Unhealthy
USG
USG
Limited relief all day
Prospect
Very Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Limited relief all day
Shady Cove
Unhealthy

Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Limited relief all day
Medford
USG
USG
USG
AM Smoke with potential for clearing  in the afternoon
Crater Lake NP (visitor center)
Unhealthy

USG

USG

Heavy smoke with pockets of clearing throughout the day due to shifting wind.
Chiloquin
Unhealthy
USG

USG

Heavy smoke with pockets of clearing throughout the day due to shifting wind.
Klamath
USG
USG

USG

Heavy smoke with pockets of clearing throughout the day due to shifting wind.
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
Umpqua North Complex Fire Information