September 7, 2021 3:20 p.m. 

An Air Quality Alert is in effect for much of southern Oregon until further notice.

Staff with the Oregon Department of Environmental said wildfires burning in the region combined with forecast conditions will cause air quality levels to fluctuate and could be at unhealthy levels.

The Alert area includes eastern Douglas County and all of Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lake counties.

Smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs and can worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk to adverse health affects include infants, young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and pregnant women.

Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on the weather. Check current conditions on the DEQ’s Air Quality Index: https://aqicn.org/map/oregon/