Jackson County Public Health has issued an air quality advisory for
Jackson County through Monday due to numerous wildfires burning in
the region.
The wildfire smoke combined with forecast conditions will cause air
quality levels to fluctuate and could be at unhealthy levels.
Depending on weather patterns and fire activity, air quality could
be impacted for longer.
Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on the weather. Smoke can
irritate the eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions.
People most at risk include infants and young children, people with
heart or lung disease, older adults and pregnant people.
People can take the following precautions to protect their health:
- Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air
quality.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during periods of poor air quality.
- People with heart or lung problems and young children are
especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke
levels are high.
- Use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in
indoor heating, ventilation, cooling and air purification systems.
- Avoid using wood-burning stoves and other sources of indoor smoke
if possible.
DEQs color-coded Air Quality Index provides current air quality
conditions and ranks air quality as follows: Green is good. Yellow is
moderate. Orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children,
the elderly, pregnant women and those with respiratory conditions.
Red is unhealthy for everyone. Purple is very unhealthy for all
groups. Maroon is hazardous.
For additional information...please visit the web site at
https://oregonsmoke.org
...HOT DRY AND UNSTABLE CONDITIONS SUNDAY ACROSS THE CASCADES...
* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 696 East Washington Central
Cascades (Zone 696), Fire Weather Zone 697 East Portion of
North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation
Area (Zone 697), Fire Weather Zone 698 East Washington North
Cascades (Zone 698), Fire Weather Zone 704 Methow Valley (Zone
704) and Fire Weather Zone 705 Foothills of Central Washington
Cascades (Zone 705).
* Temperatures: 100 to 108 in the valleys. Upper 80s and 90s in
the mountains.
* Winds: Southeast 5 to 10 mph through mid afternoon. Wind shift
to the west or northwest 10 to 15 mph late afternoon into the
evening. Localized wind gusts of 30 mph or more with showers and
thunderstorms mid Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening.
* Relative Humidities: 7 to 16 percent in the valleys and 16 to 24
percent over the higher terrain.
* Lightning: There is 10 to 15% chance for thunderstorms late
Sunday afternoon into Sunday night. Gusty outflow winds up to
30 mph possible..
* Impacts: Unstable conditions could lead to plume dominated
fires. Rapid fire spread with any new or existing fires. These
conditions may overwhelm initial attack capabilities.
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Red Flag
Warning for dry thunderstorms and gusty outflow winds, which is
in effect from 8 AM Sunday to 5 AM PDT Monday.
* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 658 West Slopes of the North
Cascades Generally above 1500 Feet and Fire Weather Zone 659
West Slopes of the Central Cascades Generally above 1500 Feet.
* THUNDERSTORMS...Scattered chance of thunderstorms over the
Cascade mountains with LAL 3 during the afternoon and evening
hours.
* OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusty and erratic winds are possible in the
vicinity of any thunderstorms that develop.
* IMPACTS...Scattered lightning in dry fuels can cause multiple
fire starts. Thunderstorms can also bring sudden sharp wind
shifts on existing fires, causing rapid changes in a fire's
rate of spread and direction of spread. Thunderstorm outflow
winds can be a threat for several hours following the start of
a new lightning-caused fire. If a fire were to begin, air
quality may diminish in the surrounding area.
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Red Flag
Warning for dry thunderstorms and gusty outflow winds, which is
in effect from 5 AM to 6 PM PDT Sunday.
* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 652 West Portion of the
Olympic Mountains and Fire Weather Zone 661 East Portion of
the Olympic Mountains.
* THUNDERSTORMS....Scattered chance of thunderstorms over the
Olympic mountains with LAL 3 during the morning and afternoon
hours.
* OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusty and erratic winds are possible in the
vicinity of any thunderstorms that develop.
* IMPACTS...Scattered lightning in dry fuels can cause multiple
fire starts. Thunderstorms can also bring sudden sharp wind
shifts on existing fires, causing rapid changes in a fire's
rate of spread and direction of spread. Thunderstorm outflow
winds can be a threat for several hours following the start of
a new lightning-caused fire. If a fire were to begin, air
quality may diminish in the surrounding area.
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures of 100 to 110
degrees expected. This will pose a Major risk of heat-related
illness.
* WHERE...Portions of central, north central, and northeast Oregon
and central, south central, and southeast Washington.
* WHEN...Until 10 PM PDT Monday.
* IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the risk of
heat-related illnesses for much of the population, especially
those who are heat sensitive and those without effective cooling
or adequate hydration.
* WHAT...Hot conditions with temperatures of 95 to 105 degrees
expected. This will pose a Moderate to Major risk of heat-related
illness.
* WHERE...In Oregon, Central Oregon, Ochoco-John Day Highlands, and
North Central Oregon. In Washington, Lower Slopes of the Eastern
Washington Cascades Crest.
* WHEN...Until 8 PM PDT Monday.
* IMPACTS...Heat will significantly increase the risk of
heat-related illnesses for those who are sensitive to heat,
especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration.
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures of 100 to 110
degrees expected. This will pose a Major risk of heat-related
illness.
* WHERE...Portions of central, north central, and northeast Oregon
and central, south central, and southeast Washington.
* WHEN...Until 10 PM PDT Monday.
* IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the risk of
heat-related illnesses for much of the population, especially
those who are heat sensitive and those without effective cooling
or adequate hydration.
* WHAT...Hot conditions with temperatures of 95 to 105 degrees
expected. This will pose a Moderate to Major risk of heat-related
illness.
* WHERE...In Oregon, Central Oregon, Ochoco-John Day Highlands, and
North Central Oregon. In Washington, Lower Slopes of the Eastern
Washington Cascades Crest.
* WHEN...Until 8 PM PDT Monday.
* IMPACTS...Heat will significantly increase the risk of
heat-related illnesses for those who are sensitive to heat,
especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration.
...HOT, DRY, AND UNSTABLE CONDITIONS EXPECTED THROUGH SUNDAY...
...ISOLATED TO SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND
EVENING...
A strong ridge of high pressure will amplify over the Pacific
Northwest leading to very hot, dry, and unstable conditions. An
upper weather system will also clip the region Sunday, producing
isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms across central Oregon
in the afternoon. The combination will result in conditions
conducive to extreme fire behavior, particularly for any ongoing
fires in the region.
* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 642 Southern Blue and
Strawberry Mountains and 644 Central Blue Mountains.
* TIMING...11 AM Today to Sunday 11 PM.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent.
* TEMPERATURES...Up to 95 to 105 degrees.
* IMPACTS...Current fires could exhibit extreme fire behavior.
* HAINES...As high as 6.
...HOT, DRY, AND UNSTABLE CONDITIONS EXPECTED THROUGH SUNDAY...
...ISOLATED TO SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND
EVENING...
A strong ridge of high pressure will amplify over the Pacific
Northwest leading to very hot, dry, and unstable conditions. An
upper weather system will also clip the region Sunday, producing
isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms across central Oregon
in the afternoon. The combination will result in conditions
conducive to extreme fire behavior, particularly for any ongoing
fires in the region.
The National Weather Service in Pendleton has issued a Red Flag
Warning for abundant lightning, which is in effect from noon to
10 PM PDT Sunday.
* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 611 Deschutes National
Forest -minus Sisters Ranger District and 640 Central
Mountains of Oregon.
* TIMING...Noon to 10 PM Sunday.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 12 percent.
* TEMPERATURES...Up to 97.
* THUNDERSTORMS...Isolated to widely scattered. Lightning activity
level of 2 to 3.
* OUTFLOW WINDS...35 to 45 mph. Thunderstorm outflow winds may
result in erratic fire spread.
* IMPACTS...Any lightning strikes combined with hot and dry
conditions could cause new fire starts.
* WHAT...High temperatures of up 100 to 108 degrees expected
Saturday afternoon, and highs of 95 to 100 expected on Sunday.
Despite somewhat cooler overnight lows, smoke from area wildfires
will prevent relief from the heat overnight.
* WHERE...Klamath, Modoc, Lake, and central and eastern Siskiyou
counties, including Klamath Falls, Weed, Yreka, Mount Shasta City,
Lakeview, Alturas, Chiloquin, Chemult, Fort Rock, and the
Christmas Valley.
* WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT Sunday.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures combined with smoke may cause heat
illnesses to occur.
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures 104 to 108
at low elevations.
* WHERE...Portions of southwest and west central Idaho and
southeast Oregon.
* WHEN...Until 9 PM MDT /8 PM PDT/ Wednesday.
* IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the
potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those
working or participating in outdoor activities.
* WHAT...Temperatures of 100 to 103 in the lowest elevations.
* WHERE...Portions of south central and southwest Idaho and
southeast Oregon.
* WHEN...Until 9 PM MDT /8 PM PDT/ Wednesday.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur.
...POTENTIAL FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING SUNDAY...
* Thunderstorms...Scattered thunderstorms and abundant lightning
Sunday afternoon and evening. Best chance is in all of Burns and
southern and western Vale BLM. Storms will not be as dry as in
recent days, with cores most likely having wetting rains.
However, lightning outside of cores will pose significant
concerns.
* Outflow Winds...Up to 60 mph.
* Timing...From noon MDT /11 AM PDT/ Sunday to midnight MDT /11
PM PDT/ Sunday night.
The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a Red Flag
Warning for thunderstorms, which is in effect from 5 AM to 8 PM
PDT Sunday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.
* AFFECTED AREA...In Washington, Fire Weather Zone 634 Southern
Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Fire Weather Zone 635 Mt.
Adams Ranger District of the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest
and Fire Weather Zone 636 Western Columbia River Gorge in
Oregon and Washington.
* THUNDERSTORMS...Isolated to scattered thunderstorms.
* IMPACTS...Frequent lightning and critically dry fuels may
result in numerous fire starts. Thunderstorm outflow winds may
result in erratic fire spread.
* OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusts up to 40 mph possible.
The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a Red Flag
Warning for thunderstorms, which is in effect from 5 AM to 8 PM
PDT Sunday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.
* AFFECTED AREA...In Oregon, Fire Weather Zone 686 Northern
Oregon Cascade Foothills and Fire Weather Zone 688 Mt. Hood
National Forest Region.
* THUNDERSTORMS...Isolated to scattered thunderstorms.
* IMPACTS...Frequent lightning and critically dry fuels may
result in numerous fire starts. Thunderstorm outflow winds may
result in erratic fire spread.
* OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusts up to 40 mph possible.
The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a Red Flag
Warning for thunderstorms, which is in effect from 11 PM this
evening to 8 PM PDT Sunday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer
in effect.
* AFFECTED AREA...In Oregon, Fire Weather Zone 687 Central
Oregon Cascade Foothills, Fire Weather Zone 689 Northern
Willamette National Forest and Fire Weather Zone 690 Southern
Willamette National Forest.
* THUNDERSTORMS...Isolated to scattered thunderstorms.
* IMPACTS...Frequent lightning and critically dry fuels may
result in numerous fire starts. Thunderstorm outflow winds may
result in erratic fire spread.
* OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusts up to 40 mph possible.
The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a Red Flag
Warning for thunderstorms, which is in effect from 11 PM this
evening to 11 AM PDT Sunday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer
in effect.
* AFFECTED AREA...In Oregon, Fire Weather Zone 683 Central
Oregon Coast Range and Fire Weather Zone 685 Southern
Willamette Valley.
* THUNDERSTORMS...Isolated to scattered thunderstorms.
* IMPACTS...Frequent lightning and critically dry fuels may
result in numerous fire starts. Thunderstorm outflow winds may
result in erratic fire spread.
* OUTFLOW WINDS...Gusts up to 40 mph possible.
* WHAT...High temperatures 100 to 110 through Monday. Lows in the
mid 60s to mid 70s.
* WHERE...Portions of North and North Central Idaho and Central,
East Central, North Central, Northeast, and Southeast Washington.
* WHEN...Until 8 PM PDT Monday.
* IMPACTS...Heat will increase the risk of heat-related illnesses,
especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration.
* WHAT...Hot temperatures. Valley high temperatures 98 to 105. Highs
in the mountains in the 80s and 90s.
* WHERE...Stevens Pass, Holden Village, and Stehekin.
* WHEN...Until 8 PM PDT Monday.
* IMPACTS...Heat will increase the risk of heat-related illnesses,
especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration.