Smoke from Chetco Bar Fire obscures view of Highway 101 from Brookings Harbor.
Jes Burns, OPB/EarthFix
Oregon’s largest wildfire, the Chetco Bar Fire in Southwest Oregon, is still creating smoke and poor air quality around Brookings and Grants Pass.
The fire has covered 185,000 acres so far — that’s five times more than the Eagle Creek Fire along the Columbia River Gorge.
When air quality is poor, even healthy people may experience problems. The best thing to do is limit exposure by staying inside, keeping windows and doors closed, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding vigorous exercise.
About two dozen wildfires are burning around Oregon now. Most areas of the state east of the Willamette Valley have moderate or poor air quality.
The Chetco Bar Fire was started by lightning in July. It’s been burning for nine weeks and was 8 percent contained as of Sept. 13.
Approximately 1,600 firefighters are fighting the fire.