Oregon Smoke Information

Precipitation helps slow growth of wildfires in Oregon, Washington 5milefire.jpeg Crews battle the 5 Mile Fire in northeastern Oregon. The blaze was about 95 percent contained by Friday morning. (Inciweb) John Killen | jkillen@oregonian.com By John Killen | jkillen@oregonian.com OregonLive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter on August 15, 2014 at 10:37 AM Rain and high humidity around much of the Pacific Northwest has helped firefighters who have been battling blazes all over Oregon and Washington. Officials report that most of the blazes grew little since Thursday and crews are making progress toward containing them. The Associated Press is reporting that there were 6,000 lightning strikes in Oregon Thursday, but most of them were east of the Cascades. And the 18 new fires that flared up Thursday were mostly 6 acres or less. Here's a look at some of the mo...

Central OR & JDICC Wildfire Air Quality Summary Report Prepared for August 14, 2014, Kelly Palmer and Andrea Holland, Air Resource Advisors    Air Quality Outlook Yesterday’s Elevated humidity and lower temperatures dampened fire behavior to primarily smoldering and creeping activity resulting in minimal smoke impacts.    Today’s Low pressure brings cooler temperatures, mostly cloudy skies with isolated showers and a 10% chance of wetting rain.    Only a slight increase in fire activity is predicted for today and tonight with mostly smoldering, creeping and isolated torching activity and a minimal rate of spread. Light upslope and ridgeline daytime winds in the South Fork John Day River valley combined with light fire activity should contribute to good air quality with limited and localized smoke impacts.  Similar conditions tonight with downslope winds after sunset will again lead to limited and loca...

Central OR & JDICC Wildfire Air Quality Summary Report Prepared for August 13, 2014, Andrea Holland, Air Resource Advisor    Air Quality Outlook Yesterday’s storm passage brought gusty winds to the areas around the South Fork Complex and Bald Sisters fires resulting in a noticeable clearing of the air in surrounding communities. Today’s elevated humidity and lower temperatures will dampen fire behavior to primarily smoldering and creeping activity.  Smoke impacts will be localized and potentially heaviest during early to late morning hours reflecting drainage flow during those times into affected valley communities.  Transport winds will be from the west to northwest mostly providing relief to Oregon communities from the fires in northern California. Tomorrow will see similar temperature and humidity conditions.  Fire behavior is not expected to increase. Smoke impacts to communities closest to the South F...