BEND, Ore. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service has set up a temporary air monitor in Redmond to measure the danger of smoke from nearby wildfires.
The Bend Bulletin reports (http://bit.ly/R7YMhZ ) that air-quality measurements have been at very unhealthy levels since the device was installed on Tuesday. Officials say the smoke is likely from a fire burning southwest of Sisters and two lightning-caused fires on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.
Health officials consider air-quality to be very unhealthy when measurements of fine particles reach 120 micrograms per cubic meter, and hazardous at 250 micrograms.
The air in Redmond was at 127 micrograms on Friday. In Sisters, it's been above 1,000 for four days — a level that astounds air-quality experts.
Experts say fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause damage.
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Information from: The Bulletin, http://www.bendbulletin.com
