Here’s a link to the the “general visibility guide to wildfire smoke” that tells the categories for visibility distance in reference to how the are classified!

http://www.ncuaqmd.org/files/Wildfire/Visibility%20Guide%20for%20Wildfire%20Smoke.pdf

The firefighters have done a great job getting the fires under control for the most part throughout the entire Northstate. The last two days have been very limited visibility throughout the Redding area with visibility under 1 mile and as far south as Red Bluff with visibility only 4 miles. Today the smell is strong as if you are in the middle of a campfire the moment you step out your front door (and that is even in Palo Cedro, east of Redding)! Driving into town, from I-5 you cannot even see mountains to the north or west and you cannot even see Mercy Medical, the hospital on the hill that is a “landmark” for directions downtown.

I would say that you should still make your trip but ensure that you plan some indoor activities while you are here! The air quality has been in the “unhealthy” region and in Weaverville it has hovered around 300 which is considered “hazardous”. The wind has slowed down so the air is not pushing the smoke out as it was for a week or so which may be most of why we are stuck under this cloud. Hope that helps! -Mindy

I am anxious to know if any local’s have current information on the fires and air quality conditions in Hayfork? We have a place there and plan to make our annual journey there but are considered about the conditions. We really don’t want to miss our trip and remian hopeful but any current information would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jodean