Oregon Smoke Information

Issued:  Aug. 31, 2017 (revised at 8:30 pm) Forecaster.  R. Graw, USDA Forest Service For the Labor Day weekend, the situation is dynamic. Near record temperatures are expected for much of the state, allowing for increased fire activity and smoke production. The southwestern portion of the state, and Cascades Mountains will continue to experience heavy smoke. Smoke will continue to affect other parts of the state at times, as described below. Eastern Oregon is likely to be least impacted by smoke over the holiday weekend. Friday Sept. 1, 2017 Winds will transport smoke primarily to the southwestern portion of the state throughout the day on Friday, as shown in Figure 1 below. Afternoon mixing will allow smoke to lift away from the surface giving some relief during part of the day. Central Oregon should get a break from the smoke today, once the inversion breaks in late morning. The coast and Willamette Valley should also s...

[Madras, OREGON] – As Central Oregon prepares for high temperatures this Labor Day weekend, the Jefferson County Health Department reminds people to take the necessary precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses. “Many people can be at risk for illness during periods of extreme heat,” says Emily Wegener. “We want everyone to arm themselves with information so they know how to stay safe this summer.” Heat stroke is a serious illness characterized by a body temperature greater than 105 degrees. Symptoms may include dry red skin, convulsions, disorientation, delirium and coma. Onset of heat stroke can be rapid; serious symptoms can occur within minutes. Treatment involves the rapid lowering of body temperature using a cool bath or wet towels. Keep victims of heat stroke in a cool area and immediately call 911. Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat stroke that may develop due to a combination of several days with high temperatures and dehydration in an individual. Signs of...

Because getting out of town isn't always an option... especially these days! When there is heavy smoke outside, one of the best things you can do is get out of the smoke. If you can’t leave the area until air quality gets better, this often means staying indoors. There are a few things you can do keep your indoor air as clean as possible.  Keep your windows and doors tightly closed. Use towels to block air flow if smoke is coming in through gaps in window or door frames.  Set air to recirculate on your heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system or window air conditioner if possible.  Use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. These can be portable filters or can be installed in HVAC systems.  Build your own air purifying filter by attaching a 20”x20” furnace filter to a 20” box fan. Follow the instructions in this DIY air filter instruction she et or in this DIY air filter video , available in English , Spanish and Korean , from the Wash...

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

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

Smoke Outlook:  Umpqua North/High Cascades Complex         Issued for: Thursday 31, 2017  Air Resource Advisor: Jen Croft, Aaron Wilkerson  Fire Activity:  High Cascades is reported at 25,232 acres with 20 fires.  Umpqua North is reported at 23,501 with 14 fires. Hot and dry conditions combined with clear skies will contribute to an increase in fire behavior today.  This will cause active short crown runs group torching and short-range spotting along uncontrolled perimeter. Expect see interior unburned islands becoming active with smoke and flames contributing to visible large smoke plumes Smoke: Winds out of the northeast will provide some relief over the previous days smoky conditions. Roseburg, Glide and Shady Cove will see significantly better air quality all day. The Rogue Valley down to Medford is not likely to see a dramatic improvement but may experience pockets of c...