Oregon businesses hit hard by cancellations due to smoke

MEDFORD — Wildfire smoke in southern Oregon is forcing organizations that are dependent on tourist dollars to scramble for other options.

The air quality in Medford and surrounding towns continues to range from "unhealthy for sensitive groups" to "hazardous" levels. The air quality Sunday night in both Medford and Ashland moved into "hazardous" territory, the Mail Tribune reported.

A number of southern Oregon businesses catering to tourists during a limited season say they are watching profits dissipate like so many smoke fumes as fires persist.

Orange Torpedo Trips in Merlin, a whitewater rafting and kayaking trip company, hasn't been able to run single- or multi-day trips down the Rogue River near Hellgate Canyon since a closure was issued July 29.

Read more: https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2018/08/oregon_businesses_hit_hard_by.html