Wildfire smoke drifting west from Central and Eastern Oregon pushed Clackamas County under an air quality advisory on July 22, with health officials urging Lake Oswego, West Linn, and Oregon City residents to continue to remain indoors.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued the advisory as smoke from fires burning hundreds of miles away settled into the Willamette Valley.
The agency initially expected to lift the Clackamas County advisory on Thursday, July 23, but a subsequent DEQ post indicated it could remain in effect until at least Friday afternoon, July 24.
The largest fire driving the smoke is the Rowe Creek Complex in north-central Oregon, a lightning-caused blaze that had grown to 149,976 acres and was only 24% contained as of Wednesday morning.
Nearly 600 personnel, including 17 hand crews and 53 engines, were assigned to the complex.
A Red Flag Warning remained in effect through Wednesday evening for Central Oregon fire zones, with thunderstorms expected to bring erratic winds and lightning, potentially worsening fire behavior and pushing more smoke westward.
Double advisory, record heat
Clackamas County faces a second layer of concern: a separate ozone advisory covering the entire Portland metro area. DEQ said in the smog advisory that ozone irritates the eyes, nose and lungs and contributes to breathing problems, and recommended residents drive less and avoid idling vehicles.
The National Weather Service reported the Portland area hit 100 degrees on Tuesday, July 21, and warned of heat index values as high as 106 on Wednesday. Wednesday's forecast high was 99 degrees. Temperatures are expected to drop to the upper 80s on Thursday, July 23, and Friday, July 24, with a 40% chance of showers Wednesday night.
What residents should do
Clackamas County recommends:
- Stay indoors with windows closed
- Use air filters or purifiers
- Limit outdoor activities, especially strenuous exercise
- Wear an N95 mask if you must go outside when air quality is hazardous
- Drive less and do not idle vehicles (to reduce smog)
Residents can check real-time air quality at oregonsmoke.org.
Mac Larsen of the West Linn Tidings and Lake Oswego Review first reported the local advisory at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 22.
What's next
Residents should watch for updated advisories at oregonsmoke.org, particularly given conflicting signals about whether the advisory lifts Thursday or extends through Friday.
