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Despite an improvement in air quality Friday morning, wildfire smoke that continues to accumulate in the valley has led to more cancellations and delays at the Medford airport. American Airlines and United Airlines have canceled all Friday flights out of Medford. Delta Air Lines has posted delays for Seattle and Salt Lake City flights. Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air flights are currently running as scheduled. Airport spokeswoman Debbie Smith said cancellations and delays “have everything to do with the approach path from the north, which is where the Ramsey fire is.” The Ramsey Canyon fire, burning near Sams Valley, started Wednesday. It has burned 1,329 acres and is 15 percent contained, according to a Friday morning update from the Oregon Department of Forestry. The Medford airport remains open, but larger aircraft are restricted from landing due to reduced visibility from the smoke, according to a news release from the Jackson County Airport Authority. “Being so close to the fire makes it difficult for aircraft to descend, even if smoke isn’t as bad today,” she said. Late Friday morning, Medford and Shady Cove air was “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” according to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality Index. Ashland and Klamath Falls had “unhealthy” air quality, while the Applegate, Grants Pass and Cave Junction had “moderate” air quality. National Weather Service meteorologist Shad Keene said air quality is “better today, because a cold front moved in Thursday night that brought in increased winds, which helped scour out some of the smoke that’s been accumulating in the valley.” But smoke is expected to settle back into the valley intermittently throughout the next few days as the Ramsey Canyon and other fires remain active, Keene said, adding that DEQ has an “air pollution advisory” in effect until further notice. Travelers are encouraged to stay up-to-date with flight information by contacting the airlines directly, according to the Airport Authority release. “We’ve been dealing with the smoke most of the summer, but we haven’t seen this type of impact until now,” Smith said. “We’re very hopeful for cooler weather and the wind, and thankful for the firefighters out there trying to fight this.” Reach Mail Tribune reporting intern Morgan Theophil at [email protected] or 541-776-4485. Follow her on Twitter @morgan_theophil .