Jefferson County residents are being urged to limit time outdoors as a persistent wildfire smoke advisory — first issued Monday, Aug. 17 — continues through at least Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 19, according to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

DEQ issued the air quality health advisory for Jefferson County along with Crook, Hood River, and southern Wasco counties due to smoke drifting in from multiple active wildfires burning in Oregon and Washington. Air quality monitors in Madras and surrounding communities have registered readings in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Unhealthy range since the weekend.

Who Is Most at Risk

Health officials advise that the following groups take extra precautions:

  • People with asthma, COPD, or other respiratory conditions
  • Children and the elderly
  • Those who work outdoors, including farm workers and construction crews
  • Pregnant women

Everyone is encouraged to keep windows and doors closed, run air conditioning on recirculate mode if available, and use N95 masks if outdoor activity is necessary. The free CleanAir Oregon app and the airnow.gov website both provide real-time monitoring data for the Madras area.

Smoke Pattern Expected to Shift

Meteorologists are watching a gradual pattern change through mid-week that may bring a shift in wind direction, potentially clearing the valley. However, DEQ cautions that any improvement could be temporary as long as significant fire activity continues in the region.

Jefferson County has faced repeated smoke events this fire season, following a summer marked by dry lightning, record heat, and the large Bench Fire that burned more than 67,000 acres on the Warm Springs Reservation in late July.

Smoke Resource Links

  • Oregon Smoke Information: oregonsmoke.org
  • Real-time air quality: airnow.gov
  • ODF Fire Restrictions Map: gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions

Stage 2 fire restrictions remain in effect across Jefferson County. Residents are reminded that any open burning — including campfires, debris burns, and charcoal grills — is prohibited under Stage 2 rules. Violations can result in fines and potential civil liability for suppression costs.