The hazy smoke that has settled over the Lower Columbia Basin will remain for the next several days as crews continue to battle the wildfires burning in southern Gilliam County.
According to the Oregon Fire Marshal, the Stubblefield fire has spread to more than 16,700 acres and is about 30 percent contained.
Evacuation levels changed on Sunday on the Lonerock Fire for the community of Lonerock. The Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 1 Be Ready notification for the west side of Lonerock Road from Lost Valley Road south to the Gilliam/Wheeler County Line. A Level 1 Be Ready notification was also issued for Buckhorn Lane due to increased fire activity south of Thirty Mile Canyon. The sheriff urges everyone to avoid these areas.
The fire has caused a smoky haze to settle over much of Eastern Oregon, limiting visibility and creating health hazards.
The Hermiston Family Aquatic Center closed canceled all activities on Monday, Aug. 20 due to unhealthy air conditions. This includes public swim, water walking and lap swimming.
The National Weather Service has issued a warning that smoke is expected to get worse in the Mid-Columbia for the next few days. Smoke from wildfires will bring about unhealthy air quality over the next couple of days and this can cause a number of problems for people.
For more information on air quality, visit the airnow.gov website.
