medford haze (Eugene, Grants Pass: smog, homes, move)

[ryanryan]

we just moved to medford and i noticed on hot days, there is a constant haze when i look at the surrounding mountains. is this purely pollution? if so, stemming from what exactly? could it be pollen?

[leilaniguy]

I lived in the Medford area for 35+ years. It is an inversion area, a deep valley surrounded by mountains, the air gets trapped. That's plain old smog you see. It will get worse as it gets hotter, really bad in fire season. The inversion causes the winter fog in the area too. It was much worse in the 60's and 70's when all the lumbermills wre operating.

[Eugguy]

Eugene has that haze too in the summer, I don't pay too much mind. I'm from L.A., so I'm used to it. Although they've definitely done very well in making the air in Southern California the cleanest it's been in 25 years!

[seashelly]

Oregon air quality stinks! And I live along the coast. Too many wood burning stoves/fireplaces and people burning their trash (and this is INSIDE the city limits!).

[Valentine8]

I use to live in Selma. Grants Pass and Medford are like living in a bowl. Not much wind so it never clears out the pollution. It comes from people burning wood to warm there homes, car exhausts, etc.