Smoke from fires to the north and south of the Mount Shasta area has been affecting air quality and limiting visibility during the last two weeks, but   it became significantly worse the past few days.
As of Tuesday afternoon the reading on the air quality index was 169, which is  unhealthy for everyone, according to Eldon Beck, the assistant air pollution control officer for the County of Siskiyou.
The index ranges from 0 to 300. On Monday afternoon it peaked at 180 with heavy particulate matter in the air. Last week the index was registering below 90 on average. Normally, without any smoke in the air, the index is around 30-40.
“When it gets this bad everyone needs to restrict their physical activities,” Beck said. “It doesn’t pay to put yourself at risk. Once the visibility drops to three miles or less its an immediate indication to take precautions. The wind shifted and is coming more from the west and is blowing in smoke from the fire near Happy Camp. Hopefully this is as bad as its going to get for us.”
Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta reported a slight increase from last week in the number of people experiencing breathing difficulties.
Fires that were ignited by lightning approximately two weeks ago are continuing to burn, but none are presenting an immediate danger to Mt. Shasta or surrounding communities.
A 1,000 + acre wildfire is burning 17 miles southwest of Fort Jones. The Forest Service closed approximately 16 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail because of the threat of safety to hikers and equestrians.
The Klamath National Forest Happy Camp Ranger District reported that the Siskiyou Complex fire has burned over 37,000 acres and is 16 percent contained at this time with full containment not expected until August 14.
Low humidities, hot temperatures and gusty north east winds the middle of last week caused a significant increase in the fire’s spread and spotting, according to a report from the Klamath National Forest. The fire crossed unburned containment lines on the west end of the fire near Elk Valley and jumped the south containment lines in excess of 1,000 acres.  
Steep inaccessible terrain  has hampered containment efforts.
As of Tuesday, there were 19  crews, two helicopters and four bulldozers fighting the fire according to the latest reports issued by the Ranger District.
The lightning caused Iron Complex fire in the Trinity Alps has burned 42,667 acres as reported by the USDA Forest Service. There are 26 crews, 82 fire engines, 3 helicopters, 12 water tenders and 9 bulldozers assigned to the blaze. As of July 14 only 44% of the fire has been contained. Total containment is not expected until August 15.
Within the Trinity Alps Wilderness Are approximately 20 other fires of between 1 to 83 acres each have been contained.
Extremely steep and broken terrain limits checking growth on all fires within the complex.
Fire managers will be on the alert for any changes that could increase the fire. Unburned islands of fuel remain within containment lines and under the right conditions, such as gusting winds, could cross containment lines up to a 1/4 of a mile away.
Throughout the fire affected areas drivers are being asked to slow down and put their headlights on and drive with extra caution. Heavy equipment, fire engines and fire crews are on or near the roads.
The latest reports from Fire Information Officers indicate that no structures have been burned to date due to the Siskiyou or Ukonom Complex fires and that the safety record for the firefighters has been remarkable considering the conditions in which they have been working.
Firefighting resources are stretched thin across the State of California according to the  reports.  There are 288 wildfires actively burning on 717,892 acres with a total of 21,255 people involved in firefighting. The smoke from nearby wildfires is evident throughout Siskiyou County.