Rogue Valley Air Quality Conditions Improve

Air quality has improved this morning after Wednesday's smoky conditions across Southern Oregon.

The worst air locally is in the Upper Rogue area nearest the Middlefork fire east of Prospect. A monitoring station at Crater Lake reported an Air Quality Index of 59 at 8 a.m., which is "moderate," while Roseburg had improved dramatically from the state's worst conditions Wednesday to report an AQI of 37 this morning. Shady Cove and Medford both reported AQIs only slightly better than Wednesday, with Shady Cove a bit worse.

Oregon Department of Environmntal Quality designates the AQI ratings as "good" if they fall between 1-50; 51-100 is "moderate" and above 100 pushes the AQI into "unhealthy" categories. As the AQI rises, it's advisable to limit outdoor physical activitie, particularly by those who already have health problems or who are very young or old.

AQI numbers as of 8 a.m., the latest numbers available:

• Applegate Valley -- 18
  
• Cave Junction -- 18
• Crater Lake -- 59
  
• Grants Pass -- 18
• Klamath Falls -- 47
• Medford -- 48
• Roseburg -- 37
• Shady Cove -- 58

Check back for updates to the AQI numbers if conditions worsen.

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