Oregon fires burn more than 2 million acres

Oregon’s wildfire story this week is not only the size of the fires, but how far the smoke has spread. OPB reported on Aug. 4 that fires burning more than 2 million acres in Oregon were blanketing most of the state with smoky air, citing state fire data and air-quality alerts. The National Weather Service said smoke from those fires was expected to keep many areas at unhealthy air-quality levels for days, affecting travel and outdoor activity across Oregon. Portland’s air was so degraded on Aug. 5 that IQAir briefly ranked it the worst among the major cities it tracks. ### Where is the smoke coming from? Oregon fires burning across central, eastern and southern parts of the state have produced the smoke now moving into population centers west of the Cascades, according to OPB and National Weather Service advisories. OPB said the state was nearing a record fire season even before this week’s smoke surge, with more than 2 million acres already burned. (opb.org) The Oregon Department of Forestry said its fire information pages were tracking active large fires statewide during the season, while the state’s wildfire response site on Aug. 5 listed major incidents including the Rowe Creek Complex, which had burned 329,012 acres and was 62% contained. ### Why did smoke reach so much of Oregon at once? The National Weather Service said wildfire smoke combined with forecast conditions would push air quality to unhealthy levels and keep advisories in place until further notice in several parts of Oregon. (opb.org) Separate alerts from Pendleton and Medford described smoke as fluctuating with wind direction and fire activity, a pattern that can spread poor air over long distances. (oregon.gov) OPB reported on Aug. 3 that heat advisories were covering much of western Oregon and southwest Washington as smoke moved west of the Cascades. That combination limited the usual overnight relief for residents who might otherwise open windows to cool their homes. ### How bad did conditions get in Portland? Portland’s average air quality index reached 160, or “unhealthy,” at 7 a.m. on Aug. 5, according to OPB’s report citing IQAir. (forecast.weather.gov) The outlet said Portland was listed at one point Wednesday morning as the worst city in the world among roughly 120 major cities tracked by the site. (opb.org) KATU separately reported that smoke had pushed Portland and the Willamette Valley from “Moderate” to “Unhealthy,” with some of the worst conditions near Mount Hood and relief expected by Friday. That matched the broader National Weather Service warning that smoke would continue to affect outdoor conditions statewide this week. (opb.org) ### What were officials telling people to do? National Weather Service alerts said people should limit outdoor activity when it is smoky and keep children indoors. The advisories said smoke can irritate eyes and noses and aggravate heart and lung disease, with infants, older adults, pregnant people and those with existing conditions among the groups at higher risk. (opb.org) The Portland weather office said residents in areas under air-quality advisories should keep windows and doors shut to prevent smoke from entering. For people without air conditioning, the office noted that a box fan and damp towel could help with cooling while windows remain closed. ### Where do updates come from next? (forecast.weather.gov) Oregon agencies said current fire conditions and active large fires would continue to be posted on the Oregon Department of Forestry’s wildfire information pages and the state wildfire response site. National Weather Service offices in Portland, Pendleton and Medford were also continuing to publish air-quality alerts and smoke forecasts on Aug. 6. (oregon.gov) (forecast.weather.gov)