More smoke, warm, dry weather in Rogue Valley forecast

Oct. 11—Smoke from a megafire burning in Lane County is expected to continue billowing into Southern Oregon through at least Tuesday, although not at the same rates as in Central Oregon and some surrounding counties.

Winds flowing from the northeast will carry smoke into the Rogue Valley from the Cedar Creek Fire burning in eastern Lane County through at least Tuesday, according to senior forecaster Jay Stockton with the National Weather Service in Medford.

"The Cedar Creek Fire is putting out a lot of smoke," Stockton said.

The lightning-caused wildfire burning east of Oakridge is currently at 122,210 acres and 38% contained, according to the latest Inciweb update. Some 730 personnel are working the fire amid shifting winds and creeping, smoldering fire conditions.

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued air quality advisories for portions of Klamath, Douglas, Deschutes, Lake, Lane, Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties that are expected to last through at least Friday.

Douglas and Coos counties are getting the worst of the smoke, according to Stockton.

With the exception of an "unhealthy for sensitive groups" reading Saturday, Medford's air quality index has largely remained in the "moderate" range. Oregon DEQ's air quality monitor at Welch and Jackson streets showed a reading of 84 at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Next week's weather isn't expected to be very different from this week, according to Stockton.

"Monday and Tuesday may be a few degrees cooler, but that's about it," Stockton said.

No precipitation is in the extended forecast.

"We're dry," Stockton said.

Medford's forecast calls for clear skies and highs of 89 to 90 through at least Saturday. Tuesday and Wednesday have lows of 44, and Thursday, Friday and Saturday will have lows in the low 50s.

Behind the weather, according to Stockton, is a strong ridge over the region that's not expected to let up until at least the weekend.

"We have a strong ridge in our area, and that ridge isn't going anywhere," Stockton said.

The Cedar Creek Fire began Aug.1, when a lightning storm started about 30 fires on the Willamette National Forest.

Because of the fire's location, in very steep and difficult-to-access terrain, including wilderness and roadless areas, firefighters implemented an indirect strategy, meaning they constructed fire lines away from the active fire edge, along roads and trails, according to Inciweb.

Evacuation notices remain in place in Lane County.

Area closures are in effect for parts of the Willamette and Deschutes national forests, and for both the Waldo Lake Wilderness and Three Sisters Wilderness. Waldo Lake and Cultus Lake are both closed to the public.

Reach web editor Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or nmorgan@rosebudmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MTwebeditor.