Air quality in the Portland metro area was rated by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality as unhealthy Tuesday. Areas near Grants Pass and Medford also had substantial haze from nearby wildfires.
Smoke from large fires burning in southwestern Oregon and northern California is blowing north and blanketing the Willamette Valley. This includes smoke from megafires such as the Chetco Bar Fire — burning over 100,000 acres near Brookings, Oregon — and the Miller Complex of fires.
DEQ is advising people living in hazy conditions to limit strenuous activity outdoors, and sensitive groups should avoid outdoor activity entirely.
The smoke is expected to lift Tuesday afternoon as the wind shifts to the southwest.
Residents in the Ashland area may see worsening smoke during the week. Portlanders should see significant improvement in air quality by Wednesday. The next few days are expected to be clear before more smoke moves in Friday.