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Deschutes National Forest

Air Quality Alert issued August 8 at 7:36PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR

August 8th, 7:36 PM — August 10th, 11:30 AM

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until further notice. For the Smoke Air Quality Advisory, wildfires burning in the region combined with forecasted conditions will cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels. Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health problems. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition. For additional information...please visit the Web site at http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ

Air Quality Alert issued August 7 at 10:22AM PDT by NWS Medford OR

August 7th, 10:22 AM — August 10th, 12:00 PM

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory...in effect until noon PDT Monday for eastern Douglas County...mainly for areas in the south Umpqua River valley near Tiller and the Umpqua National Forest east of Steamboat. Wildfires burning in the region combined with forecast conditions will cause air quality levels to fluctuate and could be at unhealthy levels at times. Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on the weather. People at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and pregnant people. People can take the following precautions to protect their health: * Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air quality. * Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during periods of poor air quality. * People with heart or lung problems and young children are especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke levels are high. * Use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in indoor heating, ventilation, cooling and air purification systems. For additional information...please visit the web site at https://oregonsmoke.org

Air Quality Alert issued August 7 at 10:22AM PDT by NWS Medford OR

August 7th, 10:22 AM — August 10th, 12:00 PM

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory...in effect until noon PDT Monday. Wildfires burning in the region combined with forecast conditions will cause air quality levels to fluctuate and could be at unhealthy levels at times. Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on the weather. People at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and pregnant people. People can take the following precautions to protect their health: * Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air quality. * Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during periods of poor air quality. * People with heart or lung problems and young children are especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke levels are high. * Use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in indoor heating, ventilation, cooling and air purification systems. For additional information...please visit the web site at https://oregonsmoke.org

Overview

Deschutes National Forest remains open for year-round recreation, though several important closures are currently in effect. The 14-day camping limit order is active (effective November 14, 2024), restricting consecutive occupation at a single location. A significant closure to note is the Cabin Butte Area south of Bend—approximately 35,000 acres (40 square miles)—closed since May 1, 2025 for at least a year for vegetation management, prescribed burns, and thinning operations to reduce wildfire risk. Four seasonal winter range closures (Cabin/Silver Lake, Metolius Winter Range, Opine Travel Management Area, and Tumalo Winter Range) protect deer and elk habitat from December 1 through March 31, prohibiting motorized vehicles including snowmobiles and e-bikes in these areas. The West Bend Area also has ongoing trail, road, and area closures for forest restoration work, with the Forest Service reporting increased closure violations. Wilderness permits for Central Cascades are managed through a reservation system. Fire season typically runs with industrial fire precaution levels monitored. Blue-green algae advisories are posted when needed, though sampling is limited mainly to Odell Lake. Firewood cutting season runs May 1 through November 30.

Campgrounds

Allen Springs Campground Allingham Campground Big River Blue Bay Bull Bend Campground Camp Sherman Campground Chief Paulina Horse Camp China Hat Campground Cinder Hill Campground Cold Springs Campground Contorta Flat Campground Contorta Point Group Camp Cow Meadow Campground Crane Prairie Campground Crescent Creek Campground Crescent Lake Campground Crescent Lake Guard Station Crescent Lake Yurts Cultus Corral Horse Camp Cultus Lake Boat In - Big Cove Campground Cultus Lake Boat In - Little Cove Campground Cultus Lake Boat In - West Campground Cultus Lake Campground Deschutes Bridge Campground Devils Lake Campground Driftwood Campground - Deschutes East Davis Campground East Lake Campground

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