Eastern Oregon smoke outlook remains constant and unhealthy for most areas

EASTERN OREGON – The current smoke outlook for Eastern Oregon remains moderate to unhealth range, according to the current forecast from the U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program. Cities in the Eastern-most four counties are currently experiencing the unhealthiest predictions, while those slightly further west maintain slightly more optimist conditions. 

For reference, the smoke outlook uses the following definitions and recommendations from the Air Quality Index:

• Good: None
• Moderate: Unusually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion
• USG, Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: People within Sensitive Groups should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion
• Unhealthy: People within Sensitive Groups should avoid all physical outdoor activity
• Very Unhealthy: Everyone should avoid all physical outdoor activity
•  Hazardous: Everyone should avoid any outdoor activity

A brief breakdown of the primary cities included in the three regional smoke outlooks is as follows: 

Enterprise:

• Predicted conditions today: Unhealthy for sensitive groups.
  • Clearest Times: Early afternoon
  • Unhealthiest Times: Morning, evening, and overnight
• Extended Forecast: Unhealthy for sensitive groups. Smoke continuing.

La Grande:

• Predicted conditions today: Unhealthy for sensitive groups
  • Clearest Times: Early morning and overnight.
  • Unhealthiest Times: Afternoon and evening. 
• Extended Forecast: Unhealthy for sensitive groups. Smoke continuing.

Elgin:

• Predicted conditions today: Very unhealthy
  • Clearest Times: Morning and early afternoon
  • Unhealthiest Times: Evening and overnight
• Extended Forecast: Unhealthy. Smoke continuing

Pendleton:

• Predicted conditions today: Moderate
  • Clearest Times: early morning
  • Unhealthiest Times: Afternoon, evening, and overnight
• Extended Forecast: Moderate. Smoke continuing

Baker City:

• Predicted conditions today: Unhealthy for sensitive groups
  • Clearest Times: Early morning
  • Unhealthiest Times: Evening and overnight
• Extended Forecast: Unhealthy for sensitive groups. Smoke continuing

Sumpter:

• Predicted conditions today: Unhealthy for sensitive groups
  • Clearest Times: late afternoon
  • Unhealthiest Times: Evening and overnight
• Extended Forecast: Unhealthy for sensitive groups. Smoke continuing

Richland:

• Predicted conditions today: Unhealthy for sensitive groups
  • Clearest Times: Early afternoon
  • Unhealthiest Times: Evening and overnight
• Extended Forecast: Unhealthy

Burns:

• Predicted conditions today: Moderate
  • Clearest Times: Late afternoon
  • Unhealthiest Times: Evening
• Extended Forecast: Good. Smoke decreasing

John Day:

• Predicted conditions today: Moderate
  • Clearest Times: Overnight
  • Unhealthiest Times: Afternoon
• Extended Forecast: Moderate. Smoke decreasing 

Ontario:

• Predicted conditions today: Unhealthy for sensitive groups
  • Clearest Times: Early afternoon
  • Unhealthiest Times: Morning 
• Extended Forecast: Unhealthy for sensitive groups. Smoke decreasing

Remember, air quality conditions can quickly change as winds shift, and fire activity fluctuates. As of the time of writing, the DEQ has issued an air quality advisory through at least Friday afternoon. 

More on the current smoke forecast can be found at: https://fire.airnow.gov/#7.43/43.099/-117.84

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Elkhorn Media Group