"Yuck" - worst wildfire smoke in years blankets region

            As Bend’s rapid growth shows little signs of abating, bringing increased traffic and steadily rising housing prices, at least some locals are engaging in a growth backlash.

            The  attitude is nothing new. But even the more ardent Bend growth advocates might have been tempted recently to embrace a  well-promoted bumper sticker: “Bend Sucks-Don’t Move Here.”

            Late on August 29 as the local weather monitors reported clear, sunny and hot weather, local webcams showed more accurate on-the-ground conditions of a thick gray haze from many wildfires in the state obscuring any view of the Cascades, or even farther than a few blocks.

            Scratchy eyes and throats, headaches and vague lack of energy afflicted even the healthiest of locals. For those with medical issues, the situation was potentially dangerous.         

            Not a few longer-term residents were complaining it was the worst smoke in a decade, although previous years have brought similar episodes of much less duration.

            At the the turn of the month going into Labor Day weekend restaurant operators were reporting business off by a third or more—especially those relying on their al fresco patio dining. Schools and parks departments cancelled outdoor activities.

            Golf courses were also bucking the smoke with tee time cancellations rising, even though a few links managers said they had periodic windows of less smoke.

The smokestacks above REI Aug 29

            Even as the megafire in the Chetco area near Brookings on the Oregon coast topped 100,000 thousand acres and winds blew smoke north into Central Oregon, the Milli Fire just west of Sisters added it’s noxious residue to what would otherwise be hot, clear days.

            New fires emerged just before month’s end in the Lava Butte area and another closed Santiam Pass, a major artery connecting to the Interstate-5 corridor. Popular campgrounds and public lodging near Elk Lake were on Level 2 evacuation notices.

            Weather forecasters predicted only modest relief in temperatures and little respite from the smoke, while looking ahead to the possibility of triple digit heat for the Labor Day weekend.

            Whatever the local opinion of Bend’s growth curve, it’s likely most would agree that an apt description of being in town late summer would be “Yuck.”