Air Quality Advisory in Effect Through Friday as Wildfire Smoke Impacts Region
An Air Quality Advisory remains in effect across parts of Central and Eastern Oregon due to wildfire smoke. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued the advisory Wednesday, with the advisory continuing until noon Friday.
The National Weather Service says wildfires burning in the region, combined with forecast weather conditions, are expected to cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels. The advisory includes Jefferson and Wasco counties, including Warm Springs, Madras, Culver, Maupin, The Dalles, Shaniko and Tygh Valley, as well as areas of Crook and Wallowa counties.
People may experience burning eyes, a runny nose and other health effects from wildfire smoke. Smoke can also aggravate heart and lung conditions and other serious health problems. The DEQ recommends limiting outdoor activities when it is smoky and keeping children indoors. People with heart or lung conditions should follow the advice of their medical providers.
The Warm Springs Branch of Natural Resources is reporting a PM2.5 reading of 406 at its Branch of Natural Resources monitoring location early Thursday morning, which is in the Very Unhealthy range. At that level, the air quality report says everyone may experience more serious health effects.
The forecast for Warm Springs today calls for areas of smoke, sunny skies and hot temperatures, with a high near 101 degrees. Winds will be calm before becoming northeast around 5 miles per hour this afternoon.
Patchy smoke is expected tonight, with increasing clouds and a low around 64. Friday will remain cloudy and hot, with patchy smoke possible before 2 p.m. and a high near 98.
Conditions are expected to improve over the weekend as temperatures cool. Saturday is forecast to be sunny with a high near 90 and west winds increasing during the afternoon, with gusts up to 25 miles per hour. Sunday is expected to be sunny with a high near 86. Monday will be sunny with a high near 91.
