Air Quality: Nearly all of Oregon affected by wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke is affecting air quality across most of Oregon and much of Washington Thursday.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Wildfire smoke is affecting air quality across most of Oregon and much of Washington Thursday.

Winds continue to blow smoke west from wildfires burning in eastern Oregon, causing mostly “moderate” air quality across the state. Air quality is currently considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups” in parts of central and southeast Oregon and “unhealthy” in the Medford and Kerby areas, according to the U.S. Air Quality Index.

KOIN 6 Meteorologist Kelley Bayern says an air quality advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday.

"Folks who are sensitive to smoke and smog should limit their time outdoors today," Bayern said.

The week’s hottest and smokiest conditions are forecast for the Willamette Valley and the Coast Range Thursday. Hazy skies and highs in the mid 90s are forecast for the Portland area. The smoky conditions are expected to clear as we move into the weekend.

"Smoke continues to improve some on Friday and over the weekend," Bayern said. "We'll see hazy skies tomorrow, but onshore winds will increase this weekend to flush out a lot of the smoke around the valley."

Air quality remains mostly "good" across the Oregon Coast.