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Different areas in the Southern Oregon region were experiencing “unhealthy” and even “hazardous” air quality Friday as a result of the South Umpqua complex and Sugar Pine fires, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Misty Firmin. Shortly after noon, Medford's air measured 171 on the Air Quality Index, considered "unhealthy," while Shady Cove was in the "very unhealthy" category at 220. Klamath Falls was at 290, but earlier in the day reached 317, which is in the "hazardous" zone. “The down-valley flow is bringing the smoke from those more northern fires into the valley and settling around different areas, hitting some hardest, like Klamath Falls,” she said. Meanwhile, Grants Pass, which is within 10 miles of the 33,600-acre Taylor Creek fire, was enjoying clean air at noon, with a "good" measurement of 37. Ashland was at 98, just within the "moderate" range. Firmin said the up-valley flow that typically arrives in the afternoon and evening may help clear smoke out of the area, but as the fires continue to burn, smoke is expected to remain. “Hopefully we might see some improvement again today in the afternoon as those up-valley winds pick up and flesh out the smoke a little bit,” she said. “But it likely won’t be as clear as it got yesterday.”