Special Statement
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued
an AIR QUALITY ADVISORY for Harney and Malheur Counties
due to elevated pollutant levels. This Advisory will remain in
effect until the air quality conditions have significantly
improved. An AIR QUALITY ALERT has been issued for the
forecast area as a result of wildfire smoke that may reach
unhealthy levels. The Alert includes the towns of Prineville,
Post, Paulina, Bend, Redmond, Sunriver, Sisters, La Pine,
Brothers, Madras, Warm Springs, and Culver.
Fire
Smoke from three wildfires are impacting the forecast area:
White River fire, Mt Hood NF – 17,497 acres (+ 545 acres)
Lionshead Fire, Warm Springs Agency – 11,760 acres (+ 1771
acres) Beachie Creek Fire, Willamette NF – 379 acres (+179
acres). Hot temperatures and dry weather will continue
through the weekend. Winds will be light and terrain driven
this morning, breezy west then NW winds are expected this
afternoon and evening. The combination of dry fuels and hot
and windy conditions will result in another day of problematic
fire behavior and large acre growth at uncontained wildfires.
Smoke
Smoke from California wildfires has entered the forecast area
resulting in generally hazy conditions this morning with
periods of smoke in the afternoon and evening. West winds
this afternoon become northwest late this afternoon and
evening bringing smoke from the Lionshead wildfire into
Sisters, Redmond, Prineville, and Bend, with periods of “USG”
air quality possible. Hazy/smoky conditions continue through
the weekend.
