Nov. 19, 2022 (Astoria, OR) — Private monitors are picking up unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups for Jeffers Garden and near the Astoria Airport. Air quality has returned to healthy levels for the Gearhart and Seaside areas.
At current unhealthy levels, AirNow.gov states that sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers and recommends the following actions:
At approximately 2:30 p.m. today, Oregon DEQ tweeted “fires in Clatsop County, Oregon may bring periods of heavy intermittent smoke to communities in the North Coast. East winds are forecasted to remain through the weekend.”
Wildfires
Good progress is being made on all fires, and containment lines continue to be established. The Oregon Department of Forestry, local landowners and fire departments are working together to control the fires prior to Thanksgiving.
The largest of the fires, the 98 Delta Fire about 10 miles east of Gearhart, is estimated at about 300 acres. A type 3 incident management team is in place, along with aerial resources, hand crews, a strike team of engines and excavators. Type 3 incidents means the fire exceeds the capability of local fire services and outside resources needed to be called in.
Several other small fires on state and private forestland are fully or mostly controlled, despite firefighters contending with 15-25 mph east winds with gusts up to 50 mph.
Wind conditions are expected to moderate Sunday, and there's the potential for rain early next week.
Based on that forecast, officials are hopeful that they'll be able to lift the Level 3 evacuations for the four homes at the end of Saddle Mountain County Road in the next couple of days.
Saddle Mountain County road remains closed to the public at the intersection of Wawa Mainline Road.
Active Wildfires
Controlled Wildfires
The above screenshot was taken at 2:58 p.m. on November 19, 2022.