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The city's short respite from wildfire smoke has ended.
Two days after ending its warning for local air quality, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has again put out a notice to vulnerable groups in the Willamette Valley to avoid outdoor activity due to wildfire smoke.
Here's a look at where our air will be coming from over the next 24-48 hours. Thick smoke is currently being observed across a large portion of north central Washington. Avoid outdoor activities Monday & Tuesday across NW OR & SW WA #pdxtst #orwx #wawx pic.twitter.com/oYmWmbGjrQ
— NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) August 19, 2018
The National Weather Service says smoke from fires in eastern Washington and British Columbia drifted south into the region last night. Hazy skies are expected through Wednesday.
More smoke is on the way tonight, this time from north central and eastern Washington and British Columbia. Expect to wake up to even more smoke on Monday morning. For the latest air quality conditions, visit:
— NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) August 19, 2018
Oregon: https://t.co/lwj0GLNM84
Washington: https://t.co/ycKy1n5i9h pic.twitter.com/Wng67Jbxil
Air quality this week is not as bad as it was last week, however, when smoke shrouded the city like a scene from Blade Runner and all residents—not just vulnerable populations—were cautioned to stay indoors.
A map of DEQ's air quality data shows that the current conditions in Portland are "unhealthy for sensitive groups," including children, elderly folks and people suffering from heart or lung conditions.
On top of that, if Portland sees one more day over 90 degrees Fahrenheit—which forecasts show could happen tomorrow and Wednesday—the city will beat its record for most days over 90 degrees.
Related: Portland Approaches a Record Streak of 90-Degree Days as Pacific Northwest Fires Continue to Grow