Klamath County Environmental Health Division Wildfire Season Daily Update/Forecast for Air Quality

 

The Air Quality outlook for Friday August 4, 2017, from 8:00 am until 8:00 am Monday August 7, 2017 is expected to be in the High Moderate to Unhealthy for sensitive groups range.  The Weather Service is forecasting NW winds, which may bring additional smoke into our area from local fires that may cause the air quality to deteriorate into the “Unhealthy” range for the Klamath Basin, Chiloquin and Fort Klamath.  Unhealthy Air Quality means everyone can be affected.  Sensitive groups should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.  Consider moving activities indoors or rescheduling.  Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. Take more breaks during all outdoor activities. For Friday, Saturday and Sunday between, 10:00am to 5:00am, the Air Quality in the Klamath Basin should clear up to be in the Low Moderate range and then increase to the High Moderate range in the evening and early morning hours. Moderate to high levels of smoke are also forecasted to come into Klamath County from several Northern California fires and fires in the Cascades.  Chiloquin and Fort Klamath are expected to stay at unhealthy levels today and in the evenings throughout the week and possibly into the weekend.

Weather conditions and smoke levels can vary dramatically during wildfires, not only from one day to the next but on an hourly basis. Smoke may also impact one portion of a community but not another.

To learn how to use visibility to measure risk of health effects:

http://www.oregon.gov/deq/aq/Pages/Wildfires-Visibility.aspx

 Public Information Officers for the wildfire advisory: Courtney Vanbragt and Erin Schulten at

541-882-8846