Stating that smoke from wildland fires in the region may cause potential health concerns, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a new warning that air quality is approaching unhealthy levels. Smoke concentrations in Bend and Deschutes County reached the moderate level, just outside the “good” category, on the Oregon DEQ’s Wildfire Air Quality Rating Scale (WAQR). DEQ reminds area residents -- especially those individuals who may be sensitive to smoke -- that there are ... [full story]