Local Alert Weather Day: Dangerous Air Quality and Strong Thunderstorms

Bend, Ore (KTVZ) – The Local Alert Weather Team has issued a Local Alert Weather Day for Today due to the dangerous air quality issues impacting Central Oregon. Also, strong storms are likely today and will generate gusty winds that will be impacting the fire fighting efforts.

Firefighters will be aggressively attacking all area fires, as always, but the weather may impact their ability to suppress the fires. Erratic winds are very dangerous for fighting fires and will be a major concern today for the brave firefighters.

The wildfires have been generating significant smoke all week with several locations spiking in the very unhealthy range.  Bend is generally in the unhealthy range as of noon today, but some parts of the city are in the hazardous range.

Prineville, Sisters and Redmond are also similar to Bend with areas in the Unhealthy to Hazardous range.

Stay indoors if you can, if you do go outside, wear a mask and limit strenuous activities.

The Awaka, Brewer and Box Springs fires impacting Deschutes and Crook County while the Coyote and Henry fires are impacting Crook County.

Check on your neighbors during this smoky period, especially the elderly and those with respiratory issues.

This shows no signs of letting up so the Local Alert Day will continue into Wednesday. 

Please, Stay safe and smart.

Don’t forget to download the Local Alert Weather App to stay connected with our team of meteorologists. 

You can get access to LIVE radar and receive urgent weather alerts so you’re always prepared.