PRINEVILLE, OR -- Crook County is one of Central Oregon's communities most impacted by smoke pouring in from the County Line 2 Fire in Warm Springs. Prineville City Planner Phil Stenbeck says residents need to be aware of the conditions, especially if they have existing respiratory conditions. "The air quality monitor has indicated moderate conditions on several days due to the wildfires, and one unhealthy day  - clearly unhealthy for everybody. We’re watching the monitor and informing people of the quality of the air. Of course, the suggestion is don’t go running, don’t go play sports in the weather, try to reduce your exposure and stay indoors if it’s really thick where you’re at."

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asks communities to limit particulate levels to 35 micrograms per thousand. But, Stenbeck says exceptions are made during fire season. "During the summertime when you have wildfires, that’s something that if your numbers are going to be pushed over by a wildfire event, then they don’t count it. If it’s not, then they do. They’ve got all this math that we don’t necessarily agree with. But at the end of the day, the wildfire events that occur in the summer months don’t effect you the same as crossing over the particulate level during the winter months. They feel communities have more control over that."