Air Quality Advisory for Eastern Lane & Linn Counties + Southern Oregon

Source: OregonSmoke.Blogspot.com

MCDC – Local Info: In the midst of this heatwave the Upper McKenzie Community Center and Living Waters Church buildings are both operating as cooling centers 11am-6pm thru Friday 13th Aug.

Location: Southern Oregon and Eastern Lane and Linn counties
End date: Friday, Aug. 13
Smoke source: Fires in Oregon and Northern California

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Lane Regional Air Protection Agency issued an air quality advisory Tuesday for Southern Oregon and Eastern Lane and Linn counties due to unhealthy levels of smoke from fires in the Oregon Cascades and Northern California.

** Información en español **

Other areas of the state, including Northeastern, Central and Northwestern Oregon, may also experience intermittent periods of smoke and haze, but likely won’t experience prolonged periods of unhealthy smoke.

DEQ expects the air quality advisory to last until at least Friday afternoon. DEQ and partner agencies will continue to monitor smoke in these areas.

The following areas are under advisory:

• Southern Oregon: Curry, Josephine, Jackson, Klamath, Lake, and Eastern Douglas counties may have unhealthy levels of smoke for at least the next several days.
• Eastern Lane County and Southeastern Linn County may have fluctuating levels of unhealthy smoke, with air quality improving during the late afternoons and evenings for at least the next several days. When air quality improves to good or moderate on the Air Quality Index, open windows to air out homes and businesses.

Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ’s Air Quality Index, or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone.

Smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and pregnant women.

Protect yourself and your family when smoke levels are high:

• Stay inside if possible. Keep windows and doors closed.
• Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
• Use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers. Or create your own air purifying filter by following these instructions.
• Be aware of smoke in your area and avoid places with the highest levels.
• If you have heart or lung disease or asthma, follow your healthcare provider’s advice.

Cloth, dust and surgical masks don’t protect from the harmful particles in smoke. N95 or P100 respirators approved by NIOSH may offer protection, but they must be properly fitted and worn. They won’t work for everyone, especially children. People with heart or lung conditions should consult their doctor before wearing a respirator. Get more information about protecting your health during wildfires.

To find a cleaner air space in your area: Visit 211info.org. Click the “cooling centers” list at the top of the page. Or call 211 or 1-866-698-6155, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Media contacts:

• Laura Gleim, Oregon DEQ, laura.gleim@deq.state.or.us, 503-577-3697
• Travis Knudsen, Lane Regional Air Protection Agency, travis@LRAPA.ORG, 541-736-1056 ext. 217

Tribal and local contacts:

• Josephine County: Jason Roberts, JRoberts@co.josephine.or.us, 541-474-5151
• Jackson County: Tanya Phillips, PhilliTF@jacksoncounty.org, 541-770-7708
• Klamath County: Valeree Lane, vlane@klamathcounty.org, 541-851-3737
• The Klamath Tribes: Zak Jackson, zakary.jackson@klamathtribes.com, 541-783-2219 ext.184
• Lake County: Judy Clarke, jclarke@lakehealthdistrict.org, 541-947-6045, ext. 5
• Douglas County: Teresa Mutschler, Teresa@DouglasPublicHealthNetwork.org, 541-957-3722