Medford, OR – Jackson County health officials and DEQ want to remind
Jackson County residents to watch for smoke levels that are unhealthy for
sensitive groups. It is important for people to be observant of the air quality
during the wildfire season, smoke levels can rise and fall rapidly depending on
weather factors including wind direction. |
During a wildfire smoke event, Jackson County health officials and DEQ
advise residents to take the following precautions:
·
Be aware
of smoke concentrations in your area and avoid the places with highest
concentrations.
·
Avoid
smoke either by leaving the area or protecting yourself by staying indoors, and
by closing windows and doors
·
Avoid
strenuous outdoor activity in smoky conditions.
·
People
exposed to smoky conditions and who suffer from asthma or other respiratory
problems should follow their breathing management plans or contact their
healthcare providers.
Check DEQ’s Air Quality Index to see real-time
air monitoring data from
monitors placed around
Oregon http://www.oregon.gov/deq/aq/Pages/Air-Quality-Monitoring.aspx. Keep in mind that monitoring locations are limited, pollution levels
may be higher in some areas, and wildfire smoke levels can rise and fall
rapidly.
Conduct a visual assessment: People can conduct a visual assessment of
nearby smoke to quickly get a sense of air quality levels by using the 5-3-1
index. Residents will want to determine
the limit of their visual range by looking for distant targets or familiar land
marks, such as mountains, buildings, and hills at a known distance. The visual range is that point at which these
targets are no longer visible. Once a
distance has been determined, follow the guidance below:
If under 5 miles: The air quality is unhealthy for young
children, adults over age 65, pregnant women, and people with heart and/or lung
disease, asthma or other respiratory illness. These people should minimize outdoor
activity.
If under 3 miles: The air quality is unhealthy for everyone.
Young children, adults over age 65, pregnant women, and people with heart
and/or lung disease, asthma or other respiratory illness should avoid all
outdoor activities.
If under 1 mile: The air quality is very unhealthy, and in
some cases may be hazardous. Everyone should avoid all outdoor activities.
If visibility is well over five miles, the air quality is generally
good. No matter how far you can see, if someone feels that they are having
health effects from the wildfire smoke exposure, they should take extra care to
stay inside or get to an area with better air quality. They should also see their doctor or health
professional as needed.
·
For more information on using the visibility
index during wildfires http://www.oregon.gov/deq/aq/Pages/Wildfires-Visibility.aspx
·
For information on smoke and wildfires in
Oregon, visit http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/ For information on smoke and wildfires in
California, visit http://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/
·
For more information about wildfires and health
threats from wildfire smoke, go to http://public.health.oregon.gov/Preparedness/Prepare/Pages/PrepareForWildfire.aspx
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS:
Tanya Phillips, Jackson County Public Health, 541-770-7708
Katherine Benenati, DEQ, 541-600-6119
Date of Release: August 17, 2017/ noon