# Breaking News: The West coast is on Fire **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 19, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512 "2020-08-19T19:01:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2020, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/222 "2020-09-16T22:10:37Z")
And in two hours it has jumped from 315 to 371 here in Portland. The rain that was supposed to knock that down to reasonable levels never came. When I step outside my chest starts hurting. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2020, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/223 "2020-09-16T22:45:23Z")
And now 398. The mild westerly winds that could start to clear it out have yet to manifest. Instead, it’s dead still or 1-2 mph from the east. At least the forecast for heavier rains tomorrow night is holding steady so far. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/224 "2020-09-17T00:15:42Z")
For all of you: 💨🌧💨🌧💨🌧💨🌧💨 and 🍷🍺🍹🥃🍸. Repeat as desired. Stay safe. We flatlanders need you. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/225 "2020-09-17T00:19:23Z")
Thanks, **Bip**! I have the beer part pretty well covered this week. Usually, rainfall in Portland causes a decrease in people outdoors. But I predict crowds leaving their homes tomorrow night if this rain actually comes. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/226 "2020-09-17T00:25:17Z")
This morning we were down to Unhealthy from Very Unhealthy, but it looks and smells the same out there to me. There’s a glowing red dot up in the sky that, if memory serves, is the sun. I read that rain was headed into Oregon tomorrow, and AQ is expected to improve here as a result. I hope that’s true. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/227 "2020-09-17T00:50:28Z")
Hoping hard for rain for you – ---
**Author:** ![Tabco](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tabco/32/7644_2.png) [@Tabco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabco)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/228 "2020-09-17T02:14:18Z")
Got up to about 375 here in Corvallis but qualitatively there seems to have been a precipitous drop in smoke outside. I can’t really tell if it’s smokey at the moment nor can I even smell it. [Airnow.gov](http://Airnow.gov) still reports high numbers but maybe their sensor hasn’t taken a reading yet. I’m not complaining. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/229 "2020-09-17T03:12:42Z")
We were in the green here today. My kids commented that you could tell that the sky was blue. The smoke is creeping back though and we’re in yellow now. @gatopescado How is the air over there? The air map doesn’t look good. Hang in there everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/230 "2020-09-17T03:16:43Z")
It just hit 420 here in North Portland. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/231 "2020-09-17T04:20:04Z")
Isn’t it always 420 in Portland? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/232 "2020-09-17T04:23:50Z")
Sunny, I’m down to about a mile or less visibility on the last few days. Eyes watering, throat sore. Nothing to do about it. Brush my teeth with the air. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/233 "2020-09-17T15:41:55Z")
The [AirNow.gov](http://AirNow.gov) site seems to be broken. Despite the think smoky haze outside, their meter says that the pollution level is a 5 (good). Could someone please test the site from your location? ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/234 "2020-09-17T16:07:31Z")
The problem appears to be with the PM2.5 reporting in Oregon, which comes from the Oregon DEQ. I assume they have some glitch in their reporting service. Put in Vancouver, WA and you’ll see it’s still hazardous. ---
**Author:** ![Jumpbass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jumpbass/32/147_2.png) [@Jumpbass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jumpbass)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/235 "2020-09-17T16:17:19Z")
Man, I feel for you folks. The AQI here has dropped to 9. Apparently, it’s the first non Spare The Air Day we’ve had for 30 days. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/236 "2020-09-17T17:54:37Z")
It seems to be fixed now. We are at 296. We were about 100 points lower this time yesterday, and there is no wind so I expect it to get rather high today. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/237 "2020-09-17T18:01:58Z")
Hallelujah! AQ is 109! The forecast is for it to drop back to green tomorrow. I sure hope so! ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/238 "2020-09-17T20:05:48Z")
That ‘AirNow’ site is Bullshit! It claims I’m ‘Good’, but the smoke is thick enough to swim in. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/239 "2020-09-17T21:13:59Z")
Try [PurpleAir.com](https://www2.purpleair.com/) and then go to their map. Their model seems to be selling sensors to people and then connecting it to wifi, so they are all over the place. Be sure to click-off “Inside Sensors” because, who give a crap about that. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/240 "2020-09-17T21:14:39Z")
Air Now only updates every hour or so. [PurpleAir](https://www.purpleair.com/) provides data from multiple sites and reports more frequently. Both put me in the low 300s at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512/241 "2020-09-17T21:23:40Z")
Purple has me at 400! Weeeee! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-west-coast-is-on-fire/918512.md?page=13)