The Bootleg Fire in Southern Oregon produced massive plumes of smoke over the weekend, causing the region’s air quality to deteriorate.
Last weekend, Klamath Falls, Medford and surrounding areas reached unhealthy levels of air quality.
Glory Dolphin Hammes is an air quality expert. She says the smoky conditions should last until the weather clears it out.
“Hopefully it will rain soon," she said. "And when that happens, that gives us really a good needed break from poor air quality.”
Rain isn’t forecast to arrive in the region for at least a week.
But because of that, she says it’s unclear how long the poor air quality will stick around.
“If it didn’t rain, how long would it take? It could be somewhere between a couple of days to clear out or it could be a couple of weeks,” said Hammes.
Vulnerable people, such as elders and people with chronic health conditions, are advised to minimize their time outdoors and frequently check the air quality in their area.
