 |
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
|
|
|
News Release
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
Release date: Aug. 15, 2016
Contacts: Katherine Benenati, Public
Affairs Specialist, Eugene, 541-686-7997, benenati.katherine@deq.state.ar.us
|
||
Unity, OR -- The
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality urges residents in Unity to take precautions from smoke caused by the Rail Fire
burning in eastern Oregon.
Air quality in the Unity area through early afternoon is
expected to be very unhealthy meaning everyone should avoid outdoor exertion
and that those with respiratory or heart disease and the elderly and children
should remain indoors. Air quality readings are expected to drop to moderate
levels later in the afternoon. Unusually sensitive groups, such as those with
respiratory disease, should avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion when air
quality is moderate.
High smoke levels can create health problems for even healthy
people so remember to limit your exposure to smoke by keeping windows and doors
closed, reducing the time you spend in smoky areas and avoiding strenuous
outdoor activity. The elderly, children and those with respiratory diseases can
be particularly vulnerable to the effects of smoke.
The Rail Fire started July 31 about five miles from Unity in
Baker County. As of Monday morning it had grown to 16,288 acres.
Smoke
levels can rise and fall rapidly, depending on weather conditions including
wind direction.
People
can conduct a visual assessment of smoke levels to quickly get a sense of air
quality levels and take precautions.
Visit
the Oregon Smoke Blog for more information on
active fires and air quality, along with tools to help people assess smoke
levels in their area. The site is an effort by city, county, tribal, state and
federal agencies to provide information for Oregon communities affected by
wildfire smoke. You can also follow them on Twitter: @ORSmokeBlog.