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Smoke Forecast for Umpqua North/High Cascades Complex -- Sept. 1, 2017

Smoke Outlook:  Umpqua North/High Cascades Complex        
Issued for: Friday September 1st, 2017 
Air Resource Advisor: Jen Croft, Aaron Wilkerson (T)



Fire Activity:  High Cascades is reported at 26,332 acres with 20 fires.  Umpqua North is reported at 25,358 with 14 fires. Near record hot and dry conditions, combined with very dry woody debris will contribute to an increase in fire behavior. A Red Flag Warning for low RH has been issued. This will cause short crown runs,  group torching, active flanking fires and short-range spotting along uncontrolled perimeters. Burnout opperations to protect values at risk will continue on the Umpqua North and Blanket Creek fires. The combination of these conditions and activities will contribute to visible smoke plumes.

Smoke: Winds out of the east will continue to provide some relief in the morning hours. Mid-day, North winds are expected to move into the area. Northerly winds will bring the smoke from the Umpqua North Complex down the Rogue Valley into Medford. Smoke from fires along the East Cascades will move down the Hwy 97 corridor and will settle into the communities of Diamond Lake, Crater Lake, Chiloquin, Prospect, Shady Cove, and Klamath during the evening/night time hours.  

*The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Alert in and around the outlook area and is in effect until further notice. Wildfires burning in the region combined with forecast conditions will cause air quality levels to fluctuate and could be at unhealthy levels.
For additional information...please visit the web site at: http://www.oregon.gov/deq
Air Quality Outlook
Sites with air quality monitors
Site
Friday
09/01
Saturday
09/02
Sunday
09/03
Notes for TODAY’s forecast
Roseburg
Moderate
USG
USG
Clear in morning with light smoke throughout day.
Glide
Moderate
USG
USG
Clear in morning with light smoke throughout day.
Toketee**
Unhealthy
USG
USG
Heavy smoke with some pockets of relief throughout the day
Diamond Lake**
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Brief impacts during afternoon into evening
Prospect
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Heavy smoke with some pockets of relief throughout the day
Shady Cove
USG
USG
USG
Pockets of relief throughout the day
Crater Lake NP (visitor center)
USG
Moderate
Moderate
Pockets of relief throughout the day
Chiloquin
USG
Moderate
Moderate
Morning smoke with some clearing throughout the day
Klamath
USG
Moderate
Moderate
Morning smoke with some clearing throughout the day
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
Info on how to use visibility to estimate health impacts from wildfire smoke

*Sensitive Groups include people with heart or lung disease, children, pregnant women and older adults
Info on wildfire smoke and your health


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