Medford, OR—The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has extended
an air quality advisory for Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties, which are
being impacted by smoke from a number of wildfires.
Air quality had improved somewhat late in the week in Klamath
Falls and the Rogue Valley where conditions were very unhealthy and even hazardous
at some monitors earlier in the week. An air quality advisory was in place for
the same counties from Monday to Thursday.
With hot weather, light winds and a number of wildfires burning,
air quality is expected to worsen at least through the weekend. As of 11 a.m.
on Friday, air quality was very unhealthy in Shady Cove and unhealthy in
Medford and Cave Junction.
A very unhealthy or purple reading means that
everyone may experience more serious health effects. An unhealthy or red reading on the Air Quality
Index means that everyone may begin to experience health effects and everyone should
avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
Residents
can view current air quality conditions at DEQ’s Air Quality Index https://oraqi.deq.state.or.us/home/map
The index is also available on smart phones. Simply search for OregonAir in
your app store.
The
color-coded index ranks air quality as follows: Green is good.
Yellow is moderate (unhealthy for extremely sensitive groups). Orange is
unhealthy for sensitive groups such
as children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with respiratory conditions.
Red is unhealthy for everyone. Purple is very unhealthy for all groups. Maroon
(greater than 300) is hazardous.
Remember,
local smoke levels can rise and fall rapidly, depending on weather factors
including wind direction.
Oregon's monitoring
network does not capture air quality conditions in all communities. For this
reason, it is important for residents to gauge air quality conditions where
they live and take appropriate actions to protect themselves. DEQ and county health officials are urging residents to take precautions from wildfire smoke. People can take the following precautions:
- Be aware of smoke concentrations in your area and avoid the places with highest concentrations.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activity in smoky conditions.
- If you have heart disease, asthma or other respiratory ailments, or are over 65, you have a higher risk of illness from wildfire smoke.
- Small children and pregnant women are also at increased risk. People in any of these groups might consider leaving the area until air quality improves.
- People suffering from asthma or other respiratory problems should follow their breathing management plans or contact their healthcare providers.
Visit the Oregon Smoke Blog for more information: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/
DEQ: Katherine
Benenati, Public Affairs Specialist, Eugene, 541-600-6119, benenati.katherine@deq.state.or.us
Jackson County: Tanya Phillips, Jackson County Public Health, 541-770-7708, philliTF@jacksoncounty.org
Klamath County: Ramona Quinn, rquinn@co.klamath.or.us
Valeree Lane, vlane@klamathcounty.org 541.882.8846
Josephine County: Michael Weber, Public Health
Director, (541) 474-5339, mweber@co.josephine.or.us