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Air-stagnation advisory issued through 4 p.m. Sunday Friday Jan 27, 2017 at 4:32 PM Jan 27, 2017 at 5:47 PM Mark Freeman Mail Tribune @MTwriterFreeman A high-pressure system that has brought the first warm, sunny and largely windless skies to the Rogue Valley is also bringing stagnant air that could turn unhealthy for fragile lungs this weekend. The National Weather Service issued an air-stagnation advisory Friday through 4 p.m. Sunday for areas from eastern Curry County to Lakeview and north along the Interstate 5 corridor. The high-pressure system locked on top of the region has caused an inversion, which reduces winds that allow pollutants such as wood smoke to mix, National Weather Service meteorologist Charles Smith said. "That allows pollution to build up in the valleys," Smith said. The Weather Service estimates that air mixing will improve Sunday afternoon. Until then, health authorities are warning people with respiratory problems, as well as the young and elderly, to reduce their exposure to outside air. "It's not the best time for sensitive people or people with health issues," Smith said. Friday's air pollution levels rated it as the first Yellow day for wood burning in 2017, said Chad Petersen, division manager of Jackson County Health and Human Service's Environmental Health Division. A Yellow rating means only certified wood stoves could be used for heating, provided there was not visible smoke, according to the DEQ. Exemptions are available. The only other Yellow day so far this wood-burning season was Dec. 29, Petersen said. "These are so dependent on weather patterns," Petersen said. "With all the storms, we've had a pretty lucky season up to now." DEQ tracks the amounts of tiny particles in the air associated with wood smoke and respiratory illnesses. The Weather Service calls for a high of 52 degrees and a low of 31 degrees Saturday for Medford, followed Sunday by a high of 53 degrees, a low of 33 and some morning clouds. — Reach Mail Tribune reporter Mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MTwriterFreeman.