On Saturday, we have a tour of the Colombia River Gorge and Mt Hood scheduled from Portland. Can anyone tell me if it is likely to be very smoky, hiding many of the views? I ask because we arrived at Crater Lake yesterday and have yet to see it because of smoke and are unlikely to before we leave Friday. Forecasts for Portland are inconsistent. Thanks in advance.

see:
https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state
and/or:
http://aqicn.org/map/oregon/#@g/45.3556/-120.921/7z

also see:
http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/

Because of fires in central and southern oregon, smoke is bad there. Smoke is not nearly as bad in Portland and Hood areas, especially with any west or southwest winds coming off the ocean. If winds change to easterly or southeasterly smoke may increase, but is unlikely to be nearly as bad as Bend or Crater Lake. There could be a slight haze, but not enough to disrupt views.

I'm in the Portland area, and today is much clearer than yesterday, when local weather gurus were recommending we try not to breathe. BUT... temperatures are increasing into the weekend - supposed to be 100° on Saturday - which usually means winds are from the east. So who knows. Unless the heat sparks some new fires though, the worst you should expect would be a smoky haze over scenic vistas, but you'll be close enough to the waterfalls that those views wouldn't be too much affected.

On the 27th and 28th Mt. Hood was barely visible from Hood River. We didn't see Mt. Adams on those days.

HTtY