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UPDATED: Smoke Forecasts for High Cascades Complex (Including Sherwood, Broken Lookout, Blanket Creek, Spruce Lake Fires) -- Aug. 19. 2017

Please note this morning's forecast projected Crater Lake to be in the unhealthy range on Sunday. The updated forecast predicts air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups on Sunday in that area.


Smoke Outlook:  High Cascades Complex                                
Issued for: Saturday, August 19, 2017 
Air Resource Advisor: Trent Wickman (twickman@fs.fed.us)



Fire
Given the low humidities and high winds, fire activity will increase today on the Sherwood, Broken Lookout, Blanket Creek, Spruce Lake fires.  Other fires in the complex are contained.
 
Smoke
The local weather pattern looks to hold throughout the weekend.  The numerous small fires in the area are leading to a general haze that has been building over the last few days.
 
Smoke can be expected to move towards the southeast in the afternoon.  In the evening the smoke will drain down the valleys such as: the Wood River toward Chiloquin and Klamath Falls and the Upper Rogue towards Prospect and Shady Cove.  The air quality in Prospect, Crater Lake, Klamath Falls and Chiloquin was categorized as Unhealthy yesterday.  The same is expected today. Note precautions in table below for Unhealthy air.
 
Tourists at Crater Lake National Park will be able to view 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
Friday
August 18, 2017
Saturday
August 19, 2017
Sunday
August 20, 2017
Notes for Saturday’s forecast
Ashland
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
 
Medford
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
 
Shady Cove
Moderate
USG
USG
Most severe impacts in the overnight/early morning
Prospect
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Most severe impacts in the overnight/early morning
Crater Lake NP (visitor center)
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
USG
Most severe impacts in the overnight/early morning
Chiloquin
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Most severe impacts in the overnight/early morning
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.
Very 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