Smoke settled into the Columbia Gorge Wednesday, creating unhealthful air quality in much of the region.  As of Wednesday afternoon, monitors around the Hood River Valley were continuing to register an air quality index between 300 and 500, even though they were showing a slight drop from mid-morning.  Those numbers qualify as hazardous to health.  East of Hood River was experiencing afternoon AQI’s just below 200, while in the Stevenson-Carson area they had increased from earlier in the day to the upper 200’s, which also increases health risks for everyone with 24 hours of exposure.  The Hood River County Health Department advises people to limit their smoke exposure by closing windows and doors, staying indoors, or relocating to a cleaner air space.  Run an air conditioner, HEPA filter, or DIY air filter to clean your indoor air.  If you must go outside, a properly fitted N95 mask can help, and avoid outdoor physical activity.  Smoke is expected to decrease in the Gorge as winds shift to the west into tomorrow, with strong west winds expected over the weekend.  Air quality index information is available at smokereadygorge.org.